As your children explore the world through play, a lot is going on in their little brains. Because play can be so unique and varied based on the individuals involved, the benefits are vast. Playing and learning are innately linked from birth. When you play with your newborn, they are learning about things like spatial awareness and how to interact with people. Older babies are constantly conducting “baby experiments” as they drop their favorite toy from the stroller, testing to see if there will be a different outcome than the last time. Toddlers and preschoolers start to use their imaginations as they play with their peers, working together as they play. Each and every skill that is learned through play, starting at birth, continues to be developed as your children play.

What is happening in those little brains when children play? Children strengthen their:

• Social development: deciphering social cues, practicing listening skills, and developing empathy
• Emotional development: improving self-regulation while following and creating rules
• Intellectual development: cultivating executive function skills and developing creative thinking
• Physical development: refining coordination, strength, and gross motor skills

Another wonderful benefit is that, through play, your child may find things that they are passionate about. Your toddler that loves dressing up in your clothes may be a costume designer when they grow up or your 3rd grader that is obsessed with building the best LEGO structures may become an architect. Through play, their options are endless. What can you do to encourage play? The organization Zero to Three has a great list of tips that include:

• Follow their lead. Don’t stress showing them the “right way” to play with a toy. They are exploring and figuring out their own way to play.
• Go slow. Try your best not to take over and show them exactly what you think they should do with any given toy. Show them an example and see if they follow your lead. They may build off of that. Or they may show you a new way to interact with a toy.
• Read their signals. Don’t force play if your child is showing signs of moving on to something else. Even before they start talking, your child will have a variety of ways to communicate with you that they are ready for something different. Stay tuned in to these signals.
• Look at your play space. Is the space where you are playing safe for your child? Is it free of distractions? Or does it include a way for you to play music while you play? These are all things to consider when looking at your play environment.
• Repeat! You may get tired of playing the same game over and over for days on end but your child may not! Practicing things over and over helps children master their new skills. Repetition is important.
• Adapt. Always be sure to change up your play to meet your child where they are. This will keep things fun and avoid many frustrations.
• Make time to play. You are your child’s first and best teacher. Be sure to give them the time to play so they are able to develop all of these important skills.

Each month* we will post recorded Circle Times that will focus on a specific theme. These recorded virtual Circle Times will engage children from 0-5 years old with books, songs, and activities. Children will get practice while they work on developing a variety of important early literacy skills to get them ready for school.

We will follow these Circle Times with Parent Discussions on the Saturday after. Meet with other parents and caregivers to learn how to create a themed play environment for your children that will build on their skills through play. This presentations will focus on the importance of learning through play for children ages birth to five with a demonstration of how to create a themed play environment for your children, play-themed early literacy tips, and tips on how to engage with your children while reading a book. Caregivers will also be given the opportunity to interact with each other on this topic. Plus, get a sneak peak at what will be to come at the library once in-person programming is safe to resume. Participants will also be able to sign up to check out themed play kits to encourage more play at home. 

Interested in learning more about the importance of learning through play? Take a look at the resources below.

Curated reading list through our library. 

Why is Play Important? A collection of articles by The National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

Play – A Collection of articles, videos, and other resources by Zero to Three

Stuart Brown: Play is More Than Fun, a YouTube video

Downloadable Information (PDFs)

Each theme includes a list of suggested materials to gather and create your own immersive play experience at home. There are also Play Tips that can act as a guide to play in these environments. 

Grocery Store

Materials List: Download PDF
Play Tips: Download PDF

Post Office

Materials List: Download PDF
Play Tips: Download PDF

Vet Clinic

Materials List: Download PDF
Play Tips: Download PDF

Doctor's Office

Materials List: Download PDF
Play Tips: Download PDF

Pizzeria

Materials List: Download PDF 
Play Tips: Download PDF

Gardening

Materials List: Download PDF 
Play Tips: Download PDF 

Camping

Materials List: Download PDF
Play Tips: Download PDF

Bank

Materials List: Download PDF 
Play Tips: Download PDF 

Classroom/Library

Materials List: Download PDF
Play Tips: Download PDF

Construction Site

Materials List: Download PDF 
Play Tips: Download PDF 

Science Lab

Materials List: Download PDF
Play Tips: Download PDF

House/Cleaning

Materials List: Download PDF
Play Tips: Download PDF

*This was a grant funded program series that ran from October 2020 through May 2021. 

This project is supported by the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records, a division of the Secretary of State, with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

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