Children who enter foster care typically have had little or not experience with play. This article describes the impact of play deprivation on early development. It provides guidelines for recognizing play deprivation and describes ways to help babies and young children develop a repertoire of play behaviors that is based on secure relationships and playful partnerships. The article is adapted from the author's 2004 booklet for parents, foster parents, social workers, and other professionals, "Playing to Learn and Learning to Play" (Bristol, England: Our Place).