In an era of packed schedules, screen time, and intense focus on school readiness, many children are playing less than in previous generations, which harms development.

Play is more than just fun and games for children. It’s a crucial element of healthy development, shaping their physical, cognitive, social, and emotional well-being. Through play, children explore ...

Preschool-age children are most engaged in pretend play 10–15 minutes after playing begins. In addition, girls exhibit higher organizational skills, according to a study conducted by researchers from ...

With the help of their stuffed animals or figurines, many toddlers and preschoolers play “teacher,” “doctor” or “firefighter,” drawing early inspiration from the careers they observe in their ...

Sensory play is more than just fun and games. It's a vital component of childhood development. The rich neural pathways formed through sensory play facilitate learning and growth in all children, ...

When caregivers meet up for a baby or toddler play date, they often imagine instant laughter, shared toys, and the cutest little friends playing side by side. In reality, it is more common to see one ...

Talking, singing, and playing with your child builds the foundation for strong language skills—starting in infancy. Support your child's language development with age-appropriate activities that match ...

If you reflect on your childhood, your most cherished memories probably revolve around play. Whether it’s running on the playground with friends, singing and dancing, or climbing a tree, playtime is ...

As the school year revs up, a renowned child developmental psychologist highlights the robust benefits of pretend play on cognitive, social, and emotional development in children and cautions how ...

Outdoor play helps children learn skills, develop physical strength, and benefits mental well-being. Time outdoors can also provide an opportunity to make friends. Outdoor play comes in many forms. It ...

Over the last 17 years on the front lines of the children’s toy industry, I’ve watched some of the titans of the industry chase sales at the expense of development. Perhaps that’s unsurprising ...