Bornstein, M.H.; Haynes, O.M.; Pascual, L.; Painter, K.M..; & Galperin, C. (1999).
Play in two societies: Pervasiveness of process, specificity of structure.
Child Development. 70 (2), 317-331.

Play functions to "cultivate and practice abilities that promote children's adaptation to and coping with the physical and social world (pp. 318)."

Play is a means to learn emotional control, self-regulation, and social competence (Christie, 1991; Howes, 1992; Johnson et al., 1987; Lasater & Johnson, 1994).

Cultural differences in form of play -- 2 year olds:

US children and moms spend more time in exploratory play whereas Argentine children and moms engage in more symbolic play and more social play.

Children in both cultures play in same ways with same toys; cognitive and affective actions between mom and child are similar -- Bornstein asserts this is indicative of a species-typical developmental process

Moms respond to type of play preferred by child -- Bornstein states this is due to cultural specificity. Sure, but also due to objective on species-typical implicit curriculum that is calibrated by culture and that organizes and directs play, which in turn is directed by the child even in interaction with the caregiver