Professor Trawick-Smith directs the TIMPANI toy study, which was a ten-year, empirical study that looked at how young children in natural settings play with a variety of toys. The study identified toys that best engage children in intellectual, creative, social, and verbal interactions in preschool classrooms.
Why play matters – Family Lives
Family Lives provides targeted early intervention and crisis support to families who are struggling. The issues we support families with include family breakdown, challenging relationships and behaviour, debt, and emotional and mental wellbeing. Family Lives was formed over forty years ago by volunteers, with the aim of ensuring that all...
Center for the Developing Child – Harvard University
This site has a great deal of valuable instructional information on what parents and caretakers of children can do to optimize their children's development. Be sure to check out, under the "Science" menu the "Key Concepts" topics, particularly the material on "Serve & Return" which explains how particular types of...
Dr Gummer’s Good Play Guide
The Good Toy Guide was founded by child development expert Dr Amanda Gummer in 2012. Created to provide an independent, expert accreditation service for children's products, The Guide provides a trusted resource for parents and gift-givers to find truly Good Toys. Amanda has a PhD in Neuropsychology, the Postgraduate Certificate...
Early Years Alliance
The Early Years Alliance is the largest and most representative early years membership organisation in England. A registered educational charity, we represent 14,000 members and support them to deliver care and learning to over 800,000 families every year. - We offer information and advice. - We produce specialist publications. -...
Let Grow
We Are Leading the Movement for Childhood Independence Let Grow believes today's kids are smarter and stronger than our culture gives them credit for. We reject the idea that they are in constant physical, emotional or psychological danger from creeps, kidnapping, germs, grades, flashers, frustration, failure, baby snatchers, bugs, bullies,...
Longworth Education – New Zealand
Longworth Education is a small, passionate consultancy focused on supporting schools who want to implement learning through play into the primary education environment. Check out their blog for Teacher resources and publications https://longwortheducation.co.nz/about-us/blog/ Browse through our blog to find books, articles and publications about learning through play and associated topics...
Outside Play – Take a risk, go play outside
Helping parent, caregivers and educators gain the confidence and skills to support children's outdoor play. Includes interactive journeys through the site for two categories of individuals: 1) parents & caregivers and 2) early childhood educators Also explains what outdoor play is and why it is important. The site is supported...
Physical Activity Research Center (PARC)
In the US, one in three young people are obese or overweight. Toddlers, children and youth from low-income families and historically underserved populations, including African American, American Indian, Latino-Hispanic, Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures, are at highest risk. These same populations often have limited access to safe places and...
PLAY & GROW
We want ALL children to THRIVE and it iswithin every child’s reach. How? Through PLAY! PLAY is the natural and holistic way young children learn. Fortunately, things happening in your everyday Life can serve as the basis for learning activities. Additionally, learning opportunities don’t have to be expensive. In fact,...
Play & Playground Encyclopedia
A wealth of play and playground information in this website.
Learning Through Play – Lego Foundation
Children already know play is their superpower. We’re here to convince the grown-ups Children are born scientists and explorers Watch children play and you’ll see them experiment, imagine, work together, and overcome emotional ups and downs. They’re stretching their minds as well as their muscles. They’re learning. And they’re picking...
Rediscover Your Play – Jeff Harry
Jeff Harry offers coaching sessions to show individuals and companies how to tap into their true selves, to feel their happiest and most fulfilled - all by playing. Jeff believes that we already have many of the answers we seek, and by simply unleashing our inner child, we can find...
The Benefits of Play for Adults – HelpGuide
Just because we're adults doesn't mean we have to make life all about work. Learn how play can benefit your relationships, job, and mood. In our hectic, modern lives, many of us focus so heavily on work and family commitments that we never seem to have time for pure fun....
The Genius of Play
Our mission is to provide families with the information and inspiration they need to make play an important part of their child's day. Through our website and social media channels, parents can find facts, useful tips and expert advice on how toys and play can help kids build confidence, creativity,...
The Recess Project
The design of a schoolyard can impact how students connect with each other - a connection that carries over into the rest of their school day. During the school day, children need regular opportunities to play, socialize, rest, and re-energize. These opportunities improve mood, well-being, resilience, and social harmony -...
