The Power of Play

Jenning Prevatte, M.Ed.

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is the work of childhood.”  ~Fred Rogers


One of the most talked-about concepts in early childhood education is play. How to play? When to play? What to play? And even, Where did play go?


Play is an essential component of the life of young children. It is how they learn about their environment and the way the world operates. As our favorite indelible American icon of children's entertainment and education, Fred Rogers would say, "Play is the work of childhood".

The Real Work of Childhood

If play is the real work of childhood, then it should be celebrated and noted as important and necessary for children’s development. Letting children be children and play without adult direction provides many essential learning opportunities, such as:

Play also promotes intellectual development in:

Play is an essential component in learning too and provides many school readiness skills that will build a solid foundation for lifelong learners. It supports brain development as well as healthy physical development for children while supporting social-emotional development and executive functioning skills too.




Check out,
Sprouting New Beginnings


They value play so much that all their resources are developed around play and
American Sign Language.


They encourage language and literacy development through play and sensory play. 




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