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Play is an important part of children's learning and development. Find articles on how to intentionally connect play and learning, ideas to share with families, and the latest research about learning and play.

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children playing with blocks
Article
Young Children
September 1, 2023

Shifting from a Classroom of Reluctant Compliance to a Classroom of Responsive Curiosity

This article presents a three-part playful learning framework to help educators move from a culture of compliance to one of agency and curiosity.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Elias Blinkoff, Charlotte Anne Wright, Molly Scott, Katelyn Fletcher, Allyson S. Masters, Hande Ilgaz, Lien Vu, Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Roberta Michnick Golinkoff
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children playing together in fall leaves
Article
Teaching Young Children
April 3, 2023

Eliminate Barriers to Risk Taking in Outdoor Play

The benefits of outdoor play aren’t just physical. It allows children to challenge themselves and become appraisers of risk. This, in turn, helps develop cognitive, social and emotional, and self-regulatory skills.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Amanda Steiner, Anne Karabon, Leah Litz
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children in raincoats playing outdoors with a traffic cone
Article
Young Children
March 1, 2023

Rainy Day, Let’s Play! Outdoor Learning for All (Voices)

Challenged by the pandemic, educators at an urban, public school embraced outdoor learning and recommitted to a play-based curriculum.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Lena Johnson, Lydia Mackie
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the cover of the publication young children, Volume 77, Number 3
Issue
Young Children
Vol. 77, No. 3
September 1, 2022

Fall 2022

Early Math Learning: Intentional Instruction, Playful Experiences
This issue of Young Children offers articles pairing essential math concepts with effective, engaging practices for early childhood settings.
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a teacher having fun with young students
Article
Teaching Young Children
July 1, 2022

Learning Together: Collaborative, Play-Based STEAM Practices in the COVID Era

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.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Sandra M. Linder, Angela Eckhoff
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a childs painting of a butterfly
Article
Teaching Young Children
July 1, 2022

"How Do You Spell Butterfly?" Connecting Play to Content Learning

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.

Authored by

Authored by: 
Jenna Valasek
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the cover of teaching young children volume 15, number 4
Issue
Teaching Young Children
Vol. 15, No. 4
July 1, 2022

Summer 2022

Playful Content Learning
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.
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a person cutting a piece of paper around art supplies
Article
Young Children
June 1, 2022

Learning Through Play in Teacher Education

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 Denese Sturdivant, Josh Thompson
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some kids playing with outdoor toys
Article
Young Children
June 1, 2022

Outdoor Recess Matters!: Preventing and Reducing Children’s Challenging Behavior on the Playground

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
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