Play-Based Interactions and Guidance
Play-based learning enhances traditional teaching methods and significantly benefits children’s cognitive, emotional, and physical development. A high-quality early learning program provides plenty of time for children to learn and practice skills through play.
Professional Learning Resources
This section includes professional learning resources that can help practitioners deepen their understanding of quality for this topic.
Online Course
Learn with Me is a three-part series of courses designed to provide teachers and caregivers of infants and toddlers with the skills and knowledge to support cognitive development. In this course, participants explore teaching strategies that support skills across many cognitive areas, such as executive function, imagination, sensory exploration, problem-solving, math, and science.
Age(s): Infant, Toddler
Guide
This brief will help staff advocate for making play-based learning a central aspect of the preschool classrooms in their program. Readers will build background knowledge and explore strategies to infuse play in multiple contexts.
Age(s): Preschool
Video Example
This video from the Center on the Developing Child discusses the importance of play for fostering children’s resilience and building their social-emotional skills.
Age(s): Infant, Toddler, Preschool
Online Course
This self-paced training helps caregivers understand infants’ and toddlers’ physical, health, and motor development, and provides instructional and care-giving strategies. Engaging children in playful gross and fine motor activities sets them up for success socially and cognitively.
Age(s): Infant, Toddler
Implementation Tools
In this section you will find tips, strategies, examples, and specific tools and products that can improve your implementation of practices related to this topic area.
Activity
The Circle Activity Collection: Infant and Toddler translates research into practice through a variety of hands-on, play-based learning activities that teachers can implement in their classrooms in whole groups, small groups, and with individual children. Access the collection for free with your CLI Engage account.
Age(s): Infant, Toddler
Activity
The Circle Activity Collection: Pre-K to Grade 2 translates research into practice through a variety of hands-on activities that school-age teachers can implement in their classrooms. Filter these play-based activities by learning area or setting (e.g., small group). Access the collection for free with your CLI Engage account.
Age(s): Preschool, School-age
Publication
This webpage from the American Academy of Pediatrics includes age-specific ideas for playful learning for children aged 0 to 6 years. This page can also be shared with families to encourage play at home.
Age(s): Infant, Toddler, Preschool, School-age
