Preliminary statement

In this special issue of the International Journal of Early Years Education (IJEYE) a number of articles are collected on early childhood education – especially on the role of play in children’s development – from the perspective of the Cultural-Historical Activity Theory. While preparing this issue, a horrifying war broke out between Russia and Ukraine, which deprived many people in the region and worldwide from basic life conditions like safety, freedom, shelter, school, work, and the right to play..