All Play Content

Young girl smiling
child playing with blocks

At Home with Makerspaces

Whether you call them makerspaces, hackerspaces, or DIY labs, the idea is the same—they’re places where kids can tinker, invent, and build to their heart's content. They are great for fostering creativity and hands-on learning.
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Teacher helping student with project
Blog
May 2, 2018

Fingerprints Upon My Heart

After forming a close bond with a student in his classroom, this preschool teacher shares his testimony on the power of play—and how it helped him through grief and retrospection after the passing of a loved one.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Darius Phelps
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A group of young children run down a hallway
Article
Teaching Young Children
April 1, 2018

اللعب النشط داخل الفصل Bringing Active Play Indoors

NAEYC promotes high-quality early learning for all children, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Lisa Mufson Bresson
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Children running
Article
Teaching Young Children
April 1, 2018

Bringing Active Play Indoors

Increasing core strength and hand–eye coordination can help preschoolers improve their gross motor abilities. Consider these activities for bringing active play inside!

Authored by

Authored by: 
Lisa Mufson Bresson
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Child playing with shapes
Article
Teaching Young Children
April 1, 2018

Play Games, Learn Math! Pattern Block Puzzles

Children learn about shapes by playing with them and manipulating them. The games in this article guide children’s learning as they do both.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Kristen E. Reed, Jessica Mercer Young
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Children playing in mud
Article
Teaching Young Children
April 1, 2018

Preschool Play Plans: Mud-Luscious Play

This is the second article in Preschool Play Plans, a TYC series. These are ideas for open-ended indoor and outdoor activities that use inexpensive or free materials—bubbles, mud, chalk, playdough, and cardboard boxes.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Blakely Bundy, ​Diane E. Levin, members of TRUCE
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Two children playing outside
Article
Teaching Young Children
April 1, 2019

Message in a Backpack™: Going Beyond the Playground: Math, Science, and Outdoor Fun رسالة في حقيبة الظهر™ - ما بعد الملعب: الرياضيات والعلم والمرح في الخارج

NAEYC promotes high-quality early learning for all children, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Rachel J. Franz
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Young girl playing with a bubble machine

Play

Find research-based resources, tips and ideas for families on the importance of play!
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Toddler holding a broom outside
Blog
March 5, 2018

Playing, Exploring, and Discovering with Chores at Home

Our afternoon of raking leaves opened my eyes to the opportunities everyday chores can offer for playing, exploring, and discovering. Here are some of the chores around our home that we have found to be exciting.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Kristin Roberts
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Two young children look through a magnifying glass together
Article
Young Children
March 1, 2018

الملاحظة والتخطيط والتوجيه: تلبية متطلبات المعايير من خلال اللعب Observing, Planning, Guiding: How an Intentional Teacher Meets Standards through Play

NAEYC promotes high-quality early learning for all children, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Patricia McDonald
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