Expert Advice

Experts agree that play has a profound impact on childhood learning. Every so often, we'll have articles, useful tips, sound advice, and the latest research from leaders in the field on children and education.
Four Factors of Responsible Nature Play
How Adults Can Cultivate More Play into Everyday Life
Children with Special Needs: The Power of Imagination
How to Build Awareness and Acknowledgement of Gratitude Through Play
10 Fun Summer Family Activities
Surviving Travel with Kids of All Ages
Let’s Play Outside
7 Ways to Build Identity as a Scientist Through Play
The Road Trip Planning and Play to Make ‘Getting There’ Fun!
3 Simple Steps for Helping Your Child Navigate Anger
Recess in School is Essential Playtime: The Importance of Parent Advocacy
How to Help Children Win Even When They Lose
11 Ways Play Helps Kids Relax
8 Tips to Creating Dependable Schedules
Beat Burnout with These Playful Tips
Play Activities Help Reduce Stress While Waiting
Why Board Games and Card Games are Important for Playtime
DIY Pampering is a New Way to Play
Playing to Learn – Home Edition
Five Tips for Choosing Great STEAM Toys
7 Family Night Ideas to Get Everyone Playing Together
Is My Child Too Young For STEAM?
Toys Build Cognitive Skills
9 Simple Ways to Play Every Day
Fostering Independent Play
Our Future Leaders Need Play NOW
New Research Shows Childhood Play Impacts Future Career Paths
Toys Build Communication Skills
Toys Build Creativity
Playtime: It’s Not Just for Kids, Say Experts
The New Parent Role: How to Manage Your “Just Right” Balance
How Game Design Fosters STEAM Learning and Promotes Dynamic Play
Toys Build Social Skills
The Art of Our Five Senses
5 Fun Activities to Play in your Backyard
4 Ways to Boost Language Skills Through Playing Games
Toys Build Physical Skills
New Survey Finds Play is #1 on the List for Summer Plans
Kids Learn to Navigate the World Through Games
Playing and Learning is a Family Adventure
How to Discuss Stressful Situations with Kids
Toys Build Emotional Skills
7 Learning Toys for Playing with Babies
5 Fun Gym Class Activities to Keep Kids Active During Virtual Learning
4 Tips to Raise Earth-Conscious Kids
6 Kinds of Play to Increase Your Child’s Learning Capacity During Social Distancing
The Importance of Sustainability in Play
How to Teach Your Child to be Unbiased with Toys and Play
Play: A Tool to Fight Pandemic Isolation & Loneliness
Play Ideas for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Playful Preschool STEM: 3 Tips to Support Your Young Learner
The Art of Play Therapy
10 Play Ideas for Unplugged Fun at Home
Educational Toys Help Parents Play it Smart During at Home Learning
Landmark Study Shows Doll Play Nurtures Empathy
Fun Games to Play to Make Your Kid a Financial Genius
Top 10 Learning Games for Toddlers
Top 10 Reasons to Play
Pathways to Genius: Curiosity, Wonder, and Play in STEAM
10 Fun Play-and-Learn Activities for Distance Learning
5 Fun Tips To Encourage Kids to Wear Masks
Kids Learn Perseverance at the Playground
15 Fun Games & Activities for When Grandma and Grandpa Take Care of the Kids
How Play Can Help Children Adjust to Post-Lockdown Life
Playing Games with your Auditorily Sensitive Child
Educational Play Is Best School Prep for Kids During Pandemic
Play to Teach Social Skills Before Your Child Reaches Kindergarten
10 Sensory Play Ideas for Children with Special Needs
11 Fun (and Safe) Games to Play in the Pool
Bring Camp Activities to Your Backyard
12 Fun Outdoor Games and Activities
Teaching Diversity & Inclusion Through Play
C’mon Over for an Outdoor Play Date
Fun Playtime Ideas for Dads and Kids
13 Fun Games & Play Ideas When the Babysitter is in Charge
How Toys and Games Help Kids Learn to Show Affection
Supporting Social Play: Helping Children Learn Social Skills from Play
Playing with STEM at Home for Young Learners
Learning Games & Toys for Preschoolers
14 Ways to Help Teenagers Cope During A Crisis
The Four Gift Rule for Kids with Special Needs
13 Virtual Play Ideas
6 Ways to Learn Science Through Play
Play IS the Point
Holiday Survival Guide: 5 Traditions to Start This Season
Vacation is for Playing
Rx: Playtime
Helping Kids Cope with Stress
5 Games to Play in the Car
Communication + Collaboration = Connections
8 Ways to Declutter Your Child's Room
Answers to Common Questions During COVID-19 Crisis
How to Keep Homebound Kids Engaged in Learning During Uncertain Times
17 Songs to Sing Together with Your Kids
How to Incorporate Play to Practice Heathy Habits
Top 20 Indoor Activities to Get Kids Up and Moving
Fun Toys and Games to Play Indoors
Learning At-Home Resources While Social Distancing
How to Get a Goodnight’s Sleep
Rainy Day Fun to Encourage Healthy Eating
Tips to Help You Calm an Upset Child
To Prep Your Child for the Real World, Let Them Pretend!
Winter Boredom Busters for the Entire Family
Child’s Play is as Easy as 1, 2, 3!
Start ‘Em Young!
8 Tips to Encourage Play Between Siblings
Take a Brain Break!
3 Ways to Be a Winner!
5 Play Activities that Promote Play with Your Tactile Defensive Child
Playtime is a Back-to-School Essential
14 Reasons to Play at Every Age
Don’t Stress the Mess!
Is Kindergarten Ready for the Child?
Messing About: Explore to Learn about the World
Building Toys, Building Skills
Yummy Sensory Summer Fun!
10 Reasons Why You Should Start a Play Club in Your School
5 Tips to Encourage Risk-Friendly Play
Play, Symbols, and Literacy
Go Out and Play!
5 Up, 5 Down! 10 Activities to Satisfy Sensory Needs
State of Flow: The Benefits of Child-Directed Play
Cuddle, Comfort, Create
There’s More Than Fun to Games
Six Ways to Promote Creativity in Children
Playful Learning at the Kitchen Table
Let’s Trade!
Ready, Set, Playsets!
Putting Play Back into our Preschools and Kindergartens: What Parents Can Do
The Ultimate Gifting Guide
The Benefits of Dress-Up Play
How to Play with a Child who has Sensory Processing Disorder
Finding Classic Play Patterns in Digital Toys
Benefits of Pretend Play - Language & Literacy Learning for kids
10 Ways Adults Can Be More Playful
5 Suggestions for Grandparents and Grandkids to Have Fun Together
5 Powerful Ways Play Builds STEAM Skills
All Work and No Play: The Importance of Balancing School & Play
Let The Imagination Run Wild!: 1-2 Years
5 Reasons Why Failure Is a Good Thing
Five Indoor Activities for Rainy Day Play
Play Ideas & Tips for Summer Break - A List for Kids on Vacation
7 Elements of Play: Sensory Development
Expert Advice on Most Impactful Elements of Play - Swinging Children
What's Play Climbing and Brachiating - Benefits for Kids Ages 5 and Up
Genius & Expert Advice - 7 elements of play spinning for children
Expert Advice - Brachiating and The Elements of Playing Importance
Genius & Expert Advice - 7 Elements of Play Sliding for Children
7 Elements of Play: Balancing
Clumsy or Uncoordinated Youngster? Play Can Help
7 Playful Gross Motor Activities Your Preschooler Will Love
Tricks for Focus During Play
Hanging on the Monkey Bars: Benefits of Using the Neighborhood Playground
How to Help Autistic Children With Play
Sensory Play for Kids with Special Needs
The Benefits of Playing From Scratch
Toys are Tools & Science of Learning - Discovery, Exploration for kids
Why You Should Be Mixing Up Play
Leadership Development through Superhero Play, Up, Up and Away!
Benefits of Playing with Young Kids and Children - The Balance of Play
Where There’s Play, There’s Learning
Benefits of Playing - Raising Creative Kids and Playful Thinkers
Benefits of Playing with Young Kids and Children - The Balance of Play
The Benefits of Play-Based Preschools
Mixing Up the Way Kids Play
The Best Way to Engage Students Today? Introduce Play-Based Learning into Your School
Benefits of Playing - Power of Practice through Play with Kids
Developing Social Skills: Ages 4-5
From Toy Trucks to Trade
Strengthening Language through Play: 2-3 years old
The Power of Play: Building Your Emotional Skillset
5 Reasons Laughter is the Best Medicine
Ideas for Kitchen Play and Fun for Kids 6 to 12 Months
The Role of Play for Newborn The Child Development: Playing at 0-6 Months
Fast Fun!
What if...?
Constructing Communication
Playing With Literacy
Genius Summer Vaction Ideas for Kids - Age - 6-, 7-, 8- & 9-year olds
Genius of Play... Encouraging Creativity through Play
A Return Active Play From Videogames & Internet to Playtime at Home
The Importance of GRIT
Boosting Brain Power: Playing A Game Can Do All That!
Developing Social Skills: The Hidden Genius in Unstructured Play
Playful Stress Management Skills For Kids
The Evolutionary Importance of Self-Directed Play
Tips for Using Tech Toys + Educational Play
The Ins and Outs of Valuable Play Experiences
3 Ways to Play Everyday
Benefits of Playing with Children: The Case for Well Played Kids
How to Find the Right Educational Apps for Your Kids
Tips for Making this Toy-Giving Season Happy and Safe
In the Race to Code, Let's Not Forget the Kids
Benefits of Playing - The Decline of Unstructured Play with Kids
STEM Games - Encourage Discovery Exploration & Learning for Kids
Is Your Media Choice Sending the Right Message?
How to Be an Active Advocate for Play
What's Stopping You? Tips and Tools for Engaging in Play
The Genius Benefits of Free Playing for Kids - For Parents & Teachers
How to Play With Your Little Ones When You Are Away