Playful learning captivates children’s minds in ways that support better academic and social outcomes as well as strategies for lifelong learning. Written in clear and expressive language, this book offers a comprehensive review of research supporting playful learning along with succinct policy and practice recommendations that derive from this research. A must read for teachers, policy makers, and parents alike. From Oxford University Press.

For its lasting benefit to children, “play” goes well beyond the fun involved. This program observes young children in play sequences that require planning, negotiating, collaborating, taking roles and developing narratives. In these sequences, children explore language and the imaginative “as if” thinking that leads to advanced intellectual functioning. When a Child Pretends demonstrates that pretend play is an essential arena for the child’s intellectual, social, emotional, and imaginative development.

This documentary is one of four in The Learning Child Series, produced by Jonathan Diamond Associates, Inc. in association with the Child Development Institute at Sarah Lawrence College. 

How can children be encouraged to make a lasting connection to nature? This program profiles the efforts of educators and parents to introduce children to the natural world and to involve them—through outdoor play, class activities, and their own creative work—in a process of outdoor discovery. Beyond the immediate benefits to child development that come with exploration and improvisational learning, the program documents how meaningful time spent outdoors can cultivate in children a permanent caring for nature—a crucial ethic of environmental responsibility.

This documentary is one of four in The Learning Child Series, produced by Jonathan Diamond Associates, Inc. in association with the Child Development Institute at Sarah Lawrence College. 

As seen on public television, this four-program set has been created to assist educators and parents in guiding children to become motivated, thoughtful and active learners.  Including a companion guide with each program, the series examines such habits of mind as personal curiosity, problem solving, “as-if” thinking, and acceptance of different points of view.  While each program explores a different topic—literacy, play, ethics, and the environment—all encourage a lifelong interest in learning itself.

The Learning Child Series is produced by Jonathan Diamond Associates, Inc. in association with the Child Development Institute at Sarah Lawrence College.

This DVD includes 70-page training module to help caregivers identify and avoid the most common causes of serious injuries during active play. The 12 hazards identified are based on a list by the National Playground Safety Institute. Describes each of the hazards and suggests how to avoid them, while also maintaining the quality of active play. Produced by Video Active Productions. 35 min.

For many school-age children, outdoor experiences are very limited. The author compellingly argues for ensuring that children have outdoor play and learning opportunities, describes exciting playgrounds in the U.S. and other countries, and provides practical information on safety, accessibility, and curriculum.

Laminated, 18"x24"

From Learning ZoneXpress.

This DVD, through movement games, activities and lessons, is an invaluable tool to bring movement and exercise into the classroom. The DVD program is unique because it is designed specifically for educators to use with their students and has a downloadable Movement Guide that explains the activities in detail, the skills being addressed as well as fun variations to the movement lessons. These accessible movement activities are for ALL children ages two and up, no matter their ability or experience. From Leaping Legs.

43 min.

Laminated, vertical, 12"x36"

Updated in 2008!

The physical environment sets the stage and creates the context for everything that happens in any setting—a classroom, a play yard, a multipurpose room. A high-quality environment welcomes children; engages children in a variety of activities; provides space for individual, small-group, and large-group activities; and generally supports the program’s philosophy and goals. Ultimately, the physical environment must convey values and messages about who is welcomed, what is important, and what the beliefs are about how children learn. This resource focuses on NAEYC’s “Physical Environment” Program Standard; use it to ensure that the physical elements of your program are sending the right messages.

This is one of nine booklets addressing the Standards and Criteria specific to NAEYC Accreditation of early childhood education programs. (To view the other eight titles, search by title for “accreditation criteria.”) Be advised that if your program enrolls in NAEYC Self-Study (the first step toward Accreditation) it will receive a copy of this booklet, among other resources, as part of the cost of enrollment. For guidance on the self-study and accreditation processes, visit www.naeyc.org/academy.