This list contains a variety of resources which can aid teachers, parents, and caregiver in providing a diverse selection of play options for children which promote skill development.
IEL Resources
- Learning at Home Activities
- Tip Sheets:
- Fun at Home with Preschoolers: Play with Light & Shadow
- Games for All Young Children
- Make Room for Blocks!
- Play and Self-Regulation in Preschool
- Play With Your Toddler—Indoors
- Say Yes to the Mess! Play with Rocks
- Say Yes to the Mess! Snow Time
- Say Yes to the Mess! Water Works
- Time to Play, Time to Dream: Unscheduling Your Child
- What Makes a Good Toy?
- Young Children Need to Play!
- Q&A: Age-Appropriate Play for Young Children
- Blogs:
Web Resources
-
The Case of Brain Science and Guided Play: A Developing Story
Source: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
This NAEYC article follows the play of several preschool children and offers connections to language development, math and spacial skills, and brain science.
-
Creating a “Yes” Environment
Source: Community Playthings
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.
-
Different Types of Play
Source: Vanderbilt University
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.
-
“Fixing Puppets So They Can Talk”: Puppets and Puppet Making in a Classroom of Preschoolers with Special Needs
(also in Spanish)Source: Early Childhood Research and Practice
This article describes how a classroom of young children with special needs engaged with puppets and puppet-making.
-
Good Toys for Young Children by Age and Stage
Source: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
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.
-
How to Support Children’s Approaches to Learning? Play With Them!
Source: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
This family-focused article emphasizes the benefits of play for toddlers and preschoolers.
-
Indoor Play Resource Guide
Source: Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse
This topical guide will introduce you to important books, videos, and information resources available from the EI Clearinghouse regarding indoor play.
-
Just-Right Sensory Play
(also in Spanish)Source: Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse
This resource provides information on what caregivers can do to help when children show high and low sensitivity to various senses.
-
Kit 1: At-Home Early Math Learning Kit for Families: Ideas for Supporting Young Children’s Math Skills
Source: Development and Research in Early Math Education
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.
-
Kit 2: At-Home Early Math Learning Kit for Families: Ideas for Supporting Young Children’s Math Skills
Source: Development and Research in Early Math Education
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.
-
The Magic of Play: How It Inspires and Aids Early Development
(also in Spanish)Source: KidsHealth
This page contains information on the value of and how to encourage imaginative play in preschoolers.
-
Math Talk While Cooking Together
Source: Development and Research in Early Math Education
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.
-
Play in K! DAP Podcast Series
Source: StarNet
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.
-
Supporting Children’s Learning in Dramatic Play Centers
Source: Eastern Connecticut State University
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.
-
When 2-Year-Olds and 3-Year-Olds Think Like Scientists
(also in Spanish)Source: Early Childhood Research and Practice
Videos serve as discussion points in this journal article. In the videos, children solve problems they encounter during play. (Also available in Chinese)