This issue of the ACEA resource series focuses on the role of sociodramatic play in early childhood development, giving recommendations and examples for developing children's social understanding through play. Sections include the following: (1) "Developing Understanding through Play," which introduces the concepts; (2) "Complex Sociodramatic Play," discussing how sociodramatic play can involve both pretending and sharing pretense; (3) "Why Is Complex Play Important?"; (4) "Different Perspectives," focusing on how children realize that others have different views and interpretations; (5) "Negotiation," showing how children negotiate different perspectives within sociodramatic play; (6) "Shared Focus," asserting that children draw upon a shared focus and communication during complex play; (7) "Some Strategies for Supporting Complex Play"; (8) "Providing Shared Experiences"; (9) "Adult Involvement in Play," including a discussion of managing play, modeling negotiation skills, accepting children's play, supporting rather than taking over play, using praise appropriately, and representing the play; and (10) "Supporting Complex Play," on the delicate balance between adults supporting and extending play and dominating play. Contains 14 references. (BGC)