Infants and Toddlers at Play: Choosing the Right Stuff for Learning and Development

NAEYC publishes research-based; peer-reviewed books for early childhood educators.
The topic of materials to include in the classroom impacts every teacher and the information will guide teachers to consider how specific materials help foster children’s learning and development in specific domains.
Explains the critical role that play materials (that is, classic toys like balls, dolls, and blocks as well as other resources that support play like paint, swings, boxes, and mirror) have in enhancing children’s learning and development. As part of this, it goes into why selecting the quote right stuff matters and what the teacher’s role is in choosing these play materials. Emphasizes how play materials-together with warm interactions with the teacher-support children as they explore and develop critical skills. While these books explore a wide range of play materials, they also help teachers see how a little can go a long way and inspire them to see the deeper learning potential each play material has.