Hi Reader,

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I hope you're having a great week! Today, we're continuing our series on play and its essential role in childhood development.

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What Does Play Mean?

Play can take many forms, but at its core, it's child-led, fun, and full of exploration. It's how kids learn and make sense of the world—whether building with blocks, pretending to be superheroes, or splashing in puddles.

Dr. Peter Gray describes play as self-chosen, intrinsically motivated, and guided by a child's own mental rules. Even when kids create their own games, there's always structure—they follow their own logic, test ideas, and adjust as they go. Most importantly, play is a space where they feel engaged, curious, and free.

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Why Is Play Important in Early Childhood?

Play isn't just fun—it's a key part of learning and growing. Through play, children develop:

• Problem-solving skills by experimenting and trying new ideas.
• Social skills as they take turns, negotiate, and communicate.
• Emotional resilience as they work through challenges and express their feelings.
• Creativity as they imagine new worlds and possibilities.

The United Nations recognizes play as a fundamental right of every child and emphasizes its role in their overall well-being in Article 31 of the "Convention On The Rights Of The Child (1989)".

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How to Support Your Child's Play

You can encourage play in simple ways every day:

• Provide open-ended toys like blocks, playdough, or kitchen items that spark creativity.
• Make time for unstructured play—not every moment needs an activity or lesson.
• Follow your child's lead and join in their pretend world when invited.
• Take play outside—nature offers endless opportunities for exploration.
• Ask open-ended questions like, "What happens next?" or "How can we build it differently?"

One of my favorite things about play is that it can happen anywhere—at home, in the backyard, or even while traveling. Some of our best family memories have been spontaneous play on the go: stacking pebbles on a beach, pretending to be explorers in a new city, or making up silly games in the car. Kids don't need much to turn a moment into play!

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Hands-On Play Activities

Here are a few simple activities to encourage playful learning:

• Cardboard Roadway – Use a large piece of cardboard to draw roads, bridges, and parking spaces. Add toy cars for hours of imaginative play.
• Nature Paintbrushes – Gather leaves, pine needles, and flowers, attach them to sticks and use them as paintbrushes to create textured artwork.
• Shadow Play – Set up a flashlight and let kids use their hands or toys to create shadow stories on the wall.
• Playdough Construction Zone – Provide homemade playdough, small rocks, sticks, and toy construction vehicles for a hands-on sensory building experience.
• Obstacle Course – Use laundry baskets, pillows, and cardboard blocks to create an obstacle course for kids to climb, crawl, and jump through.

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​Reading to Inspire Play

Try these books to spark new ideas for kids:

• ​Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran – A beautiful story about kids turning the desert into an imaginary town.
• ​The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires – A story about perseverance and creativity in making something new.
• ​Let's Play! by Hervé Tullet – A fun, interactive book encouraging movement and engagement.
• ​Daniel Loves Playtime by Alexandra Cassel Schwartz – A sweet story about different ways to play with friends.

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​Want To Learn More?

Check out our blog post, The Importance Of Playtime & How To Have A Year Full of Play, for more ways to encourage play at home.

​What Exactly is Play: The Defining Characteristics of Play Hold Clues to Play's Value in Children's Development.​

​Definitions of Play - Scholarpedia​

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Let's Make Time for Play

It's easy to overlook play in our busy lives, but even a few minutes of child-led play each day can make a difference. Whether it's pretend play, outdoor adventures, or simply stacking blocks together, every moment of play matters.

This week, take a moment to play alongside your child—build, pretend, explore. You might find yourself having fun, too!

Hit reply and let me know: What's your child's favorite way to play right now?

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Let's keep making space for play,
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All the best,

Kimberli and Joseph

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Upcoming Events - Mark Your Calendars

Last Chance! FREE No More Picky Eating Challenge February 19-25. If you're ready to banish picky eating and find more peace at the dinner table, the No More Picky Eating Challenge is for you! Just 30 minutes a day to make a huge impact.​

Read Across America Day provides ​year-round fun reading activities for kids​ daily, weekly, or monthly. Take advantage of the celebrations on March 2 and throughout National Reading Month in March.

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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