Jan 6, 2025 · Play is an important part of children's learning and development. Find articles on how to intentionally connect play and learning, ideas to share with families, and the latest research about learning and play.

This kind of play helps children develop their approaches to learning—in other words, the ways they respond to learning situations. Curiosity about the world, initiative and problem solving, and focused attention and persistence are just a few approaches to learning that …

Play is essential for all children, birth through age 8. Play (e.g., self-directed, guided, solitary, parallel, social, cooperative, onlooker, object, fantasy, physical, constructive, and games with rules) is the central teaching practice that facilitates young children’s development and learning.

10. Play is a child’s context for learning. Children practice and reinforce their learning in multiple areas during play. It gives them a place and a time for learning that cannot be achieved through completing a worksheet. For example, in playing restaurant, children write and draw menus, set prices, take orders, and make out checks.

By maximizing children’s choice, promoting wonder and enthusiasm for learning, and leveraging joy, playful learning pedagogies support development across domains and content areas and increase learning relative to more didactic methods (Alfieri et …

like this, young children are actually learning basic principles of science and math (Cohen & Emmons 2017). Here are some more examples of what play looks like at very young ages: Play at 6, 15, 24, and 30 months Tomas (6 months) is on his tummy, a basket of wooden and plastic rattles in front of him. His eyes and mouth are both open wide.

Opportunities to promote young children’s language and literacy development abound in early learning settings. Early childhood educators can facilitate these experiences by offering materials, routines, and interactions that set the stage for rich language and literacy activities and exchanges, as Olivia did in the vignette above.

Learn about and purchase the best books and resources to support young children's learning and development. Young Children Stay up to date with research-based, teacher-focused articles on birth to age 8 in our award-winning, peer-reviewed journal.

Technology and Interactive Media as Tools in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth through Age 8. A joint position statement issued by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children's Media at Saint Vincent College. View Interactive PDF | View Standard PDF

Now more than ever, children need help connecting deeply to learning through play. From Play to Practice is exactly the book teachers need to help make this happen. — Diane E. Levin , Professor, Early Childhood Education, Wheelock College