Amid the debate about the national evaluation of Sure Start and the review of the teaching of reading, which will lead to a focus on phonics as the primary method for very young children, it would be a good idea for those policymakers and commentators who are shouting loudest to take note of the findings of some of the pioneers featured in our child development series. This week we look at the life and work of Vivian Gussin Paley, who has been observing children and their play for many years ('A long hard look', pages 12-13). Vivian's dissection of the...