Play the Head Start Way
Staff can use this information to plan and carry out open ended, joyful play activities with children enrolled in Head Start programs.
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Creative Play
Creative play is an activity that varies across individuals, cultures, and communities. It fosters curiosity, joy, and lifelong learning, promoting accessibility and meaningfulness for all children. These resources underscore the importance of creativity in young children and support their development through playful experiences.
1-2-3 Dance with Me
Did you know that experimenting with rhythm connects music, math, and culture? Model musical exploration, share in the joy, and follow children’s interests with types of music and ways to express themselves..
It’s Make-believable
Make-believe play is an important part of a research-based curriculum and practices you use every day. The sky is the limit as children create play experiences to explore scenarios from their world and beyond!
We’re Going on a Bug Hunt
Invite children to go on an adventure to find bugs on your outdoor area, backyard, or local playground. Ask children where they think they will find insects — always following their lead in the shared exploration.
Creative and Playful Learning in Family Child Care
Family child care offers mixed-age groups where siblings can be cared for together. The provider’s schedule, location, culture, and language are often a match for family needs.
Splish, Splash, Splat – Hooray for Messy Play!
Messy play is a great way to experience natural elements with all the senses. Help children explore textures, sounds, and smells of materials. Make a mud puddle outside for children to splash in; use a sensory table to splash, scoop, and pour water; and more!
The Shape of Our heARTs
Encourage children to explore their senses, stretch fine motor skills, and be creative using materials of different colors, textures, sizes, and more. What can children mold, manipulate, stack, arrange, pattern, color, or imagine as they explore 3D art?
Open a Box of Possibilities to Support STEAM Learning
What’s in the box? Endless possibilities! Educators and families can use cardboard boxes to spark children’s imaginations. Children build skills as they imagine, create, and test and implement their ideas.
Learning That STEMs from Playing with Blocks
Children use blocks to erect buildings, create towers, enhance dramatic play, and so much more! Educators can provide a variety of blocks, interesting accessories, plenty of space to explore, and then watch the block party begin!
It’s Time for Play! Loose Parts
This is part of the Play Promotes Early Development. It’s Time for Play video series.
