In this article, we focus on communication and collaboration—qualities that are important in achieving the critical thinking, creativity, and content knowledge involved across STEAM areas.
Playful learning doesn’t require the latest and greatest toys and technologies. Some of the most valuable learning materials are open-ended items that you probably have at home or can find at little to no cost.
In this article, Jenna Valasek explains how she uses open-ended materials with intentional teacher planning and scaffolding to engage children in active thinking, social interactions, and joyful learning across multiple areas.
Teaching Young Children is NAEYC's magazine for anyone who works with preschoolers. Colorful, informative, and easy-to-read, TYC is packed full of teaching ideas, strategies, and tips.
In this article, we discuss the need for teacher candidates to experience play, the equitable benefits of playful learning, and strategies that we use to position play within a standards-based curriculum.
Authored by
Authored by:
Melanie Loewenstein Toni Sturdivant Josh Thompson
By connecting with their children while playing on the floor, at eye-level with them, families can foster their child's social, emotional, and cognitive development through creative play.
Spending time on the playground is a great opportunity for children to be physically active and engage in various forms of play, as well as develop a variety of foundational social and emotional skills.
Authored by
Authored by:
Hsiu-Wen Yang Michaelene M. Ostrosky Paddy Cronin Favazza Yusuf Akemoğlu W. Catherine Cheung Katherine Aronson-Ensign
In this article, we describe our inquiry to better understand children’s thinking through play. We also share ideas about how teachers can build upon children’s interests and expertise in ways that are respectful, inclusive, and engaged.
Authored by
Authored by:
Mary Ellin Logue Hattie Harvey Amanda Beckett
This excerpt from Developmentally Appropriate Practice illustrates the ways in which play and learning mutually support one another and how teachers connect learning goals to children’s play.
Authored by
Authored by:
Jennifer M. Zosh Caroline Gaudreau Roberta Michnick Golinkoff Kathy Hirsh-Pasek
This issue of Young Children delves into different aspects of play, different roles of educators during play, and the contexts of children and families with play.
