«What game shall we play?» Interpreting theoretical and practical insights from education and design classics in contemporary contexts

In this paper, we examine the concept of play from a historical perspective. Many past authors have highlighted the diverse potentials of this multifaceted activity, which is often— though not exclusively— associated with childhood. We discuss the contributions of Carolina and Rosa Agazzi, Giuseppina Pizzigoni, Ettore Guatelli, Mario Lodi, and Gianfranco Zavalloni, who explored play through various lenses, offering a range of interpretations and applications within their own educational and pedagogical approaches. Our analysis also incorporates insights from professionals focused on children and design, specifically Bruno Munari and Riccardo Dalisi, to uncover additional dimensions of play. Finally, we examine contemporary educational contexts, including selected teaching practices and teacher training initiatives, to connect historical insights with current perspectives on the role of play.