Children’s Play – More than Fun and Games

This NAEYC article follows the play of several preschool children and offers connections to language development, math and spacial skills, and brain science.

This article by an experienced teacher explains that a classroom should be an environment where children are able to feel successful through opportunities to explore without the limitations of adult expectations.

This article presents the importance of creative play in childhood. A few ways parents can foster children’s creative spirit are provided.

These infographics break down the different types of play, the importance of each kind of play, and how to support young children as they play.

This article describes how a classroom of young children with special needs engaged with puppets and puppet-making.

This resource notes that the best toys are those that can be played with in many different ways and that are age-appropriate in terms of safety.

This family-focused article emphasizes the benefits of play for toddlers and preschoolers.

This topical guide will introduce you to important books, videos, and information resources available from the EI Clearinghouse regarding indoor play.

This resource provides information on what caregivers can do to help when children show high and low sensitivity to various senses.

This kit (1 of 2) provides fun early math resources geared toward children from birth to age 8. Tips for reading, recipes, math snacks, card games, scavenger hunts, and other games are included in the kits.

This kit (2 of 2) provides fun early math resources geared toward children from birth to age 8. Tips for reading, recipes, math snacks, card games, scavenger hunts, and other games are included in the kits.

This page provides activities to help children get outdoors and engaging in muddy activites.

This provides a description and ideas for adding and using loose parts for activities in a child care program.

This page contains information on the value of and how to encourage imaginative play in preschoolers.

When families cook and prepare food, they naturally count, measure, and work with numbers. These recipes offer tips to help parents and caregivers talk about math while cooking with their children.

In this podcast episode, educators Erean Mei, Margi Bhansali, and Alli Bizon share the value of play-based instruction for all children and recommendations to advocate for and advance equitable play in Kindergarten classrooms in Illinois. 

This article provides examples of play activities for children beginning at birth through age 6 years.

This page provides links to a series of videos showing examples of dramatic play centers being implemented in preschool classrooms to support children’s learning and development.

Videos serve as discussion points in this journal article. In the videos, children solve problems they encounter during play. (Also available in Chinese)