Two children and a parent pour water into a water table outside.

The Surprising Benefits of Water Play for Kids | Free PDF

Water play offers valuable support for children’s learning and development. Explore its benefits in this guide by a children’s developmental therapist. Key Points Definition of Water Play Water play is a sensory activity where children explore, manipulate, and interact with water, often at water tables indoors or outdoors. Water play is an incredible learning activity…

A family plays together with a puzzle.

Types of Play in Early Childhood: Everything You Need to Know

Updated: September 28, 2024 From nature play to block play, risk-taking to art, discover the stages, benefits, and activities that shape children’s development. This guide breaks down the essentials for parents, educators, and caregivers. Explore all types of play in the early childhood years. Stages of Play Child development theory has two well-known “stages of…

Parents read to their baby during a literacy activity.

Literacy Ideas for Babies: Easy Activities from My Infant Classroom 

It’s never too early to foster a love for reading and writing. As an infant/toddler developmental therapist, I understand how caregivers can use activities to support emergent literacy skills, like handling books, enjoying songs, and building language. These literacy activities for babies are the same ones I’ve used in homes and infant classrooms. They are…

Child draws with markers during a process art activity.

Process Vs. Product Art in Early Years: The Must-Know Differences

In early childhood education, there are two important approaches to art: Process Art and Product Art. Understanding the difference between them is key for parents and teachers. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of each and why nurturing creativity is vital for our young artists. Key Points What is Process Art An approach that…

A box of wooden loose parts including blocks and stacking rings.

The Magic of Loose Parts: FAQs for Teachers & Parents

Key Points Loose parts are open-ended materials that hold no specific instructions or designated use in play. They are items that children can move, manipulate, and combine in countless ways, encouraging imaginative play and exploration. I’ve already shared a comprehensive list of loose parts materials (check out that post for a FREE PDF download). But now, let’s…

Baby plays with wooden blocks on the floor.

10 Benefits of Block Play: Unlock the Power of Blocks

Discover the ten benefits of block play and learn how simple building activities support all learning domains. From fostering creativity and problem-solving to promoting social interaction and physical abilities, block play has a significant impact on children’s development. What is Block Play in Child Development? Block play is an imaginative, open-ended learning activity where children use…

A child balances stacking blocks during a block activity.

The Best Block Play Activities & Environments for Young Children

Explore our favorite block play activities for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Block activities support children’s creativity, learning, and physical development. I’ll share block activities and games you can introduce at home or in the classroom, along with tips to promote a block play environment. What is a Block Play Activity? Block play is an imaginative,…