The role of metacommunication in numerous aspects or dimensions of human development
cannot be overestimated. In this paper I discuss theoretical ideas and research
evidence concerning play, metacommunication and language development. Concepts and
theory, from my perspective, are in need of further elaborations as empirical
evidence and theoretical sophistications demand a constant process of knowledge
construction concerning the issue. Therefore, I present some recent elaborations
regarding concepts related to metacommunication processes, claiming for the
existence of, at least, three different sorts of metacommunication. The kind here
designated as relational metacommunication is of particular interest when the goal
is the study of play, role play, meaning construction, language and child
development. The significance of role play for child development is remarkable.
Notwithstanding, other kinds of play interactions expressively contribute to it.
Possible implications of role playing in the sociogenesis of the dialogical self are
considered, even though elaborations of this possibility will require another forum
of academic analysis and discussion.
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