Learning Through Play

Dear L&L Family,

What a joyful and energizing start to our Month of the Young Child it has been! This past week truly captured the heart of what early childhood is all about. Our classrooms were filled with laughter, creativity was flowing freely, and the children were fully immersed in the magic of learning through play. From music and movement to hands-on exploration and collaborative moments, it has been such a gift to watch our students engage, connect, and shine in their own unique ways.

Mindful Monday set the tone, giving children the chance to pause, notice their feelings, and practice kindness and self-awareness. On STEM Exploration Tuesday, curiosity was sparked as students experimented, observed, and problem-solved with hands-on science and math activities. World Discovery Wednesday took them on mini adventures around the globe, exploring cultures, traditions, and the beauty of diversity. Thursday was all about movement with Move & Groove, as children danced, stretched, and celebrated the joy of physical play. And we wrapped up the week with Imagination Friday, where storytelling, dramatic play, and creative expression encouraged each child to dream, explore, and bring their ideas to life. Each day offered meaningful opportunities for growth while fostering confidence, cooperation, and a strong sense of belonging within our classrooms. As we reflect on such a vibrant first week, it felt only natural to focus this week’s feature on a theme that has been at the center of it all: learning through play.

To young children, play may look simple, but it is actually the foundation of how they learn best. Through play, children are constantly exploring ideas and testing theories, practicing language and communication, developing social skills and relationships, building problem-solving and critical thinking abilities, and strengthening fine and gross motor skills. Play allows children to make sense of the world around them in a way that is meaningful, engaging, and developmentally appropriate. It is where imagination meets learning, and where some of the most important growth happens.

At L&L, play is not separate from learning; it is learning. Our teachers intentionally incorporate playful experiences into every part of our friends’ day:

• Circle Time became a space for songs, storytelling, and shared ideas
• Learning Centers invited children to build, create, pretend, and explore
• Art Experiences encouraged open-ended creativity and self-expression
• STEM Activities sparked curiosity, experimentation, and discovery
• Outdoor Play supported movement, teamwork, and connection with nature

What may look like simple play is actually rich with purpose, thoughtfully designed to support each child’s development while honoring their interests and individuality.

One of the great things about fostering play is that you don’t need elaborate setups, as some of the best learning happens in the simplest ways:

·        Remember to always follow your child’s lead.
Let their interests guide the activity. It makes play more meaningful and engaging.

·        Keep materials open-ended, as we do at school.
Blocks, crayons, cardboard boxes, and everyday objects can become anything in a child’s imagination.

·        Join in, but be sure not to take over.
Be a partner in play while allowing your child to stay in control of their ideas.

·        Make space for unstructured time.
Boredom often leads to the most creative play.

·        Talk and wonder together.
Ask questions like, “What do you think will happen next?” or “Tell me about what you made!”

As always, stories are a wonderful way to reinforce the joy and importance of play, so here are some more recommendations on the topic:

For Toddlers

·        Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson

·        Mix It Up! by Hervé Tullet

·        Say Zoop! by Hervé Tullet

·        Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas

·        The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak

·        Not a Stick by Antoinette Portis

·        Press Here by Hervé Tullet

·        The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds

·        Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg

 

For Preschoolers (3–4 years)

·        Boxitects by Kim Smith

·        The Curious Garden by Peter Brown

·        How to Code a Sandcastle by Josh Funk

·        This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

·        They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel

·        The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse by Eric Carle

·        What Can You Do with a Paleta? by Carmen Tafolla

·        Ish by Peter H. Reynolds

·        What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada

·        The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires

·        Loose Parts by Lisa Daly

·        Play Is the Way by Amanda Morgan

 

As we look ahead to next week, we have even more excitement in store as we celebrate the NAYCE Week of the Young Child! Our classrooms will be filled with music, movement, creativity, collaboration, and hands-on exploration through special themed days like Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, Artsy Thursday, and Family Friday. From dancing and singing to building, creating, and sharing meaningful moments together, each day will offer new opportunities for children to connect, express themselves, and learn through play. We can’t wait to see the joy, curiosity, and friendships continue to grow as we dive into another fun and memorable week together!

Thank you for continuing to celebrate alongside us and for being such an essential part of your child’s learning journey. We can’t wait to see what the next week brings!