We help parents, grandparents, and educators nurture happy, curious kids through easy, play-based activities. From block play to pretend play, our playful learning activities encourage your children to develop their social, emotional, language, cognitive, and motor skills—one activity at a time. Join our weekly newsletter to explore simple, hands-on activities designed for your toddlers and preschoolers.
👨🏽👩🏽👧🏽👦🏽Let's Play, Engage, and Connect!
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Hi Reader, When you hear the word "engagement," what comes to mind? Weddings or big events? Today, in our series on nurturing your child's growth through play and everyday activities, we're discussing a different kind of engagement: when you and your child engage in an activity together. What Do We Mean by Engagement? For toddlers and preschoolers, engagement means being absorbed in an activity. It might look like a child engrossed in building a block tower, lost in imaginative play, or focused on a hands-on experiment. When your child is engaged, they're present in the moment. Why Is Engagement Important in Early Childhood Development? Engagement is key to your child's growth. Children involved in play develop problem-solving skills, build social connections, and learn to express themselves. These moments build confidence and help reduce stress. Kathleen Alfano once said, "Engaged play increases your happiness, aligns you with your deepest needs, and is a huge predictor of your well-being."
How to Support Engagement in Your Child Early childhood is a time of rapid growth and every moment of curiosity and hands-on activity matters. Here are a few simple ways to nurture engagement: Support Their Interests: Discover what excites your child and plan activities around those topics Create an Inspiring Space: Set aside an area at home for free, creative play. Limit Closed-End Activities: Choose toys and activities that allow for multiple outcomes, such as play dough, art supplies, dress-up clothes, building sets, or blocks. Engage in Everyday Tasks: Involve your child in simple chores to boost confidence and independence. Allow Plenty of Time: Give your child space to engage, explore, and discover. Make Play a Priority: Use playtime to connect, interact, and bond. As Vince Gowmon reminds us, "The best education does not happen at a desk, but rather engaged in everyday living—hands on, exploring, in active relationship with life."
Hands-On Play Activities to Boost Engagement Try these simple ideas to spark quality play:
Reading together can spark a love for active play. Try these engaging books: Press Here by Hervé Tullet Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak Mix It Up! by Hervé Tullet Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson Check out our blog post, Easy Social Activities For Toddlers And Preschoolers, for more ways to help your child communicate, build relationships, and enjoy meaningful play experiences. Childhood is a Short Season. So, now is the time to spend with your children, engaging with them, connecting with them, and listening to them. Whether playing a game, exploring a new interest, or even doing a few chores together, these moments build memories and lifelong skills. What new experiences will you and your child share this week? Hit reply to let me know. I'd love to hear your stories! All the best, Kimberli and Joseph Upcoming Events - Mark Your Calendars Week of the Young Child 2025 will occur from April 5 to April 11. It is a fun-filled week where childcare providers and families come together to celebrate the importance of early childhood education (from birth to age 8).
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Discovery Building Sets
We help parents, grandparents, and educators nurture happy, curious kids through easy, play-based activities. From block play to pretend play, our playful learning activities encourage your children to develop their social, emotional, language, cognitive, and motor skills—one activity at a time. Join our weekly newsletter to explore simple, hands-on activities designed for your toddlers and preschoolers.