Children's lives are becoming more and more similar to adult lives. Too many activities, too full day to day life and not enough opportunities to play. In my diploma thesis, I wanted to show the importance of play in children's lives and the role of adults providing it (play). I think that the role of adults is very important for children's play. It is more indirect, but indispensable. In the theoretical part I described what play is all about, although there is no single definition, and how it affects children's learning process. I briefly described the play-stages and the factors that influence play. I have listed and described the following types of play: functional play, symbolic play, creative play, play with rules and free play. On more than others I focused on free play and outdoor play, which are especially important at the Sunrise International (Neohumanist) Preschool. Neohumanism is a philosophical theory, according to which the neohumanist educational system emerged. It emphasizes affection, respect and love for everyone and everything that exists in our universe. I was very impressed with this system when I had the opportunity to experience it in the previously mentioned preschool. I described the system in detail, their principles and goals. In the empirical part I also presented the preschool itself and the views of two teachers on the subject of play. I also presented the course of weekly activities and emphasized the frequency of outdoor play. Above all I wanted to prove that play is important for all children's areas of development. That through play they can learn many important life skills and that play gives them the freedom they desperately need to shape their unique personalities and interests.
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