Initiative, Creativity, and Curiosity
This Parallel Play episode focuses on initiative, curiosity, and creativity in toddlers. Learn to support toddlers in taking initiative and being curious and creative.
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.
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?
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!
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.
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!
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.
The Benefits of Messy Play for Infants and Toddlers
Messy play is the active exploration of materials like water and paper. It offers rich learning experiences for infants and toddlers. Listen to this podcast for strategies to make this activity fun and manageable.
Bang! Squish! Leap! Supporting the A in STEAM with Infants and Toddlers
Learn how to integrate the arts into activities that support children's school readiness across the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) domains.