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More About Play & Learn

What happens at a Play & Learn group?

Each Play & Learn group is unique, reflecting the community and organization where it is located. Most groups meet once a week for two hours. Some require advance registration while some are drop-in.

Play & Learn groups are led by a facilitator who guides the children and adults through activities focused on developing early learning skills. Children play with other children of the same age while engaged in a variety of activities including arts and crafts, games, physical play, and circle time. Caregivers and parents experience how children learn through play, and they learn how to promote early literacy and school readiness through everyday activities at home.

Play & Learn facilitators are resources for the adults who attend the groups; many request information on other topics relating to the joys and challenges of caring for young children.

How do children learn through play?

You may have heard the phrase “play is the work of children.” In a very real sense, this is true. Young children learn through experiences that help them make sense of the world around them. Through play, children learn to relate with others, develop language skills, learn how to recognize and solve problems, and discover their imaginations.

This article from Alliance for Childhood contains a wonderful description of the benefits of play.  Read article...

Children from Birth to Five: A Statement of First Principles on Early Education for Educators and Policymakers www.allianceforchildhood.org/projects/play/index.htm



Who can attend a Play & Learn group?

In all Play & Learn groups, children attend and participate with an adult: grandparents, aunts and uncles, elders, older siblings, friends, neighbors or parents. Many families share child care between grandparents, friends, and parents, and sometimes a child, parent and grandparent all come together. Any of those adults are welcome to bring a child to Play & Learn – the same adult caregiver does not need to come every time.

Play & Learn groups are facilitated in many different languages; some are multilingual, others are language-specific. Some groups serve children of particular age groups or abilities. Check with the sponsoring agency to learn more about Play & Learn groups in your neighborhood.


What other information and resources are available to family, friends and neighbors caring for children?  Find resources...

How do I find out more about setting up a Play & Learn group?

If you’re interested in learning more about Play & Learn and how you might set up a group, please contact Lisa Conley, Play & Learn Network Coordinator at (206) 329-1011, extension 202 or via email at conley@childcare.org.

Child Care Resources coordinates the Play & Learn Network which provides training, technical assistance and other support to groups interested in starting a Play & Learn group.  More information about the Play & Learn Network...