Children love to play—anytime, anywhere, and with almost anything. Play helps them explore the world around them and practice important skills crucial to brain development. The resources in this bundle are designed to support adults in facilitating children’s joyful learning! 

The resources in this bundle will… 

  • Outline some benefits of play for young children, 
  • Offer strategies for caregivers and parents to make the most of playful learning moments with children,
  • And help adults tune in to their own playful side! 

For providers:  The last section in this bundle provides related resources and facilitation tips for you to use with FFN providers and parents in your setting. 

  1. 1
    Video

    Social Chat

    Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQvvCiBlUdU

    In this video, FFN (family, friend, and neighbor care) expert Zoraima Rosario-Rolón chats with Sesame Street trainer Antonio Freitas about the importance of play in children’s learning and development. Together, they discuss practical strategies to help parents and caregivers identify—and make the most of—opportunities to incorporate play and learning!  

    As you watch the video, think about your own playful interactions with children. Have you ever considered playful moments as learning opportunities, too? 

  2. 2
    Printable

    Play Cards

    Download printable

    There are lots of simple ways you can make everyday routines into play-based learning experiences. These cards offer ideas for play at different ages and stages and can help you spark ideas for playful connections with children in your care. 

    Remember that play takes practice, too. Try to notice which everyday games your child enjoys most, and repeat them often. Over time, these playful moments may become highlights of your day—bringing joy to you both and helping routines go more smoothly! 

  3. 3
    Article

    Growing and Learning Through Play

    Children are wired to play—you can see this from very early in a child’s life. Even at just a few months old, babies’ curiosity about the world around them is evident when they reach for objects, mimic facial expressions and sounds, and giggle and laugh. Their growing brains crave these playful connections, which help to build a sense of safety and trust.  

    That play-based, curiosity-driven way of moving through the world continues as children get older. Playful experiences serve as a vehicle for children’s growth and development. Through play, children learn to regulate their feelings, adopt new perspectives, think flexibly, solve problems, and much more. That’s why it is so important for the grown-ups in young children’s lives to support, encourage, and model many ways to play. Consider these ideas to facilitate children’s play: 

    • Tower talk. Playing together helps children consider new ways of doing things, uncover different perspectives, and build cooperation skills. Together, build a tower (out of blocks, food storage containers, paper cups, or whatever you have on hand) and taking turns adding to the stack. With each turn, share something about yourself. As the tower gets taller, your relationship will grow, too! 
    • Mix it up. Add play into your daily tasks by inviting children to help you think of different ways to get things done. Instead of folding towels, you might roll them. Instead of walking to get the mail, you might hop like a bunny! What other ordinary chores can you do in a creative, playful way? 
    • Imagine it! Store-bought toys can be special, but don’t underestimate the playful power of objects you might have laying around the house. With just a little imagination, bowls turned upside-down become a drum set. Couch cushions become castle walls. And that box is definitely a spooky cave! 
    • Push play. When children (or grown-ups!) have big feelings, such as frustration or sadness, a playful outlook can make a big difference. Together with children, draw a circle on a piece of paper. In the circle, draw two lines (like a pause button) and an arrow (like a “play” button). When things start to feel serious or stressful, “push” the button to “pause.” Take a deep breath and think of a way to approach the situation playfully. Now pretend to press the “play” button. Can you turn this stressful moment into a game? 

     

    Play…All Grown Up 

    As you know, children look to grown-ups for guidance for almost everything, including play. It can be difficult at times for us to tap into our playful side, but it’s worth the effort! Keep these things in mind: 

    • Rediscover it. We can model play by rediscovering it for ourselves. Play may look a little different as a grown-up, and that’s okay. The key is to find—and regularly do—things that bring you joy. Consider joining a recreational sports team, book club, or video game league. Fill pages of a journal with short stories, or a canvas with colorful paint.
    • Schedule it. While spontaneous play is wonderful, with our busy schedules, being intentional can help us make play a regular part of our lives. Can you set aside time for play each week? Can you schedule it into your daily routine? You might try to choose a time each day in which you need a natural pick-me-up, such as in the middle of the afternoon or first thing in the morning. Include the children in your care, but remember that you can play without children, too!
    • Savor it. In the video above, Zoraima Rosario-Rolón, provider to FFN caregivers, explains how the “lightbulb moments” that children often experience during play can also be a beautiful gift for caregivers to receive. As you nurture a playful attitude in yourself and in your relationships with children, you can be confident that you truly are making a positive difference. You’re setting the stage for children’s success in life! 
  4. 4
    Workshop

    Tips & Tools for Providers

    You can use the resources in this bundle to host a workshop for parents and FFN caregivers in your setting. Consider the following ideas and facilitation tips to provide an informative and playful experience! 

    1. Begin by watching the “social chat” video together with parents and/or FFNs. 
      • Invite participants to share what types of playful experiences the children in their care enjoy the most. Ask, “How might you incorporate learning into those playful moments?”
      • Talk about the strategies mentioned in the video. What stood out to them? What might they try? 
    1. Print and share the “Growing and Learning Through Play” article and reference it for more ideas and discussion prompts. 
    2. Finally, if you have more time, introduce more resources from SSIC.org that support this theme, such as: 

    For even more learning on this topic, check out our Circles of Care course!