Thinking about children's play as a necessary adaptation for human existence, leads us to think about what is universal and what is different about this phenomenon. We present here evidence quoted in various elements of research that provide detail in specific contexts, and we discuss how variation in play is related to functions in ontogenetic development. We follow the evolutionary theories, relating intrinsic characteristics of play to possible functions and phylogenetic and ontogenetic adaptations in the human species. The research examined indicates evidence of play as a functional and adaptive behavior for childhood, where children test their environment and can learn and practice adaptable behavior specific to each environment. Moreover, given the fundamental role of the context and culture in play, we can see that the possibility exists of investigating how the diversity of human development can be linked to the universal aspects of individual development.
Children's play; Diversity; Evolutionary theories