Back to Play Scientists
Doris Bergen has championed the developmental value of play since her early career as an elementary school teacher and pre-kindergarten director. Her subsequent academic work at Miami University (Ohio) focused on pretend play and cognitive development, technology-facilitated play, social play in autistic children, humor in gifted children, and cross-cultural play. She has published twelve books and more than 60 refereed articles on play, served eleven years as Educational Psychology Department Chair, and co-directed the Center for Human Development, Learning, and Technology.
Doris Bergen, PhD
Most Influential Work
The Role of Pretend Play in Children's Cognitive Development (Early Childhood Research & Practice, 2002)
Play from Birth to Twelve (2006)