The clown at the birthday party, the Broadway show, a stadium rock concert, your friends fighting over the last potato chip–all these are examples of entertaiment. Derived from the French word entretenir, to hold together or support, the idea of entertainment has always been associated with hospitality. From there, it came to mean to amuse or distract. It is the basis of all play–and for children, it’s essential. It helps them grow emotionally and intellectually (8). It also provides an opportunity to practice adult skills (8).
Stories like Scheherazade, from the Persian professional storytelling tradition, have entertained audiences for centuries. Rimsky-Korsakov, Ravel, and Szymanowski all wrote orchestral works based on the story; Pasolini made a film adaptation; and now there is an innovative video game.