By Stella Lundie, QUALITYstarsNY Quality Improvement Specialist
Play is one of the most powerful tools for fostering children’s development across all physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and communication domains. According to New York’s Early Learning Guidelines, play is key in helping children meet developmental milestones and achieve early learning goals. When teachers and caregivers actively engage in play with children, they help deepen learning, guide problem-solving, and model important social skills. Through thoughtful interactions, educators can extend children’s thinking, introduce new vocabulary, and expand concepts, making playtime a dynamic learning experience. Provider interactions during play also offer vital opportunities to scaffold learning, offering gentle guidance that encourages independence while fostering exploration and curiosity. These meaningful interactions help build trusting relationships, making play not only a tool for development but also a bridge for deeper connection and communication between children and their caregivers.
Whether you’re building a block tower or participating in imaginative play, these moments become opportunities for children to grow, develop, and thrive. The key is for educators to intentionally ask open-ended questions, make observations, and offer gentle guidance, turning playtime into a meaningful, developmentally rich experience.
Here are a few suggestions for both daycare centers and family group daycares:
- Set up defined play spaces like block, dramatic play, and sensory areas that target different developmental domains.
- Use open-ended questions during play to stimulate critical thinking (e.g., “What do you think will happen if we try this?”)
- Rotate materials regularly to keep children engaged and support various skills.
- Ensure play areas reflect diversity and provide opportunities for inclusive play.
- Incorporate outdoor play to promote physical development and sensory exploration.
These strategies, supported by QUALITYstarsNY Specialists, help create enriched environments where children can thrive through play.
QUALITYstarsNY specialists cheerfully boost daycare programs, helping them create high-quality, developmentally appropriate learning environments that meet the needs of every child. Specialists work closely with staff, assessing the program through standards that ensure holistic growth and supporting the children and their families. From designing enriching play spaces and fostering strong family connections to enhancing provider qualifications and program management, Specialists guide daycares to reach the highest standards of excellence, ensuring that every aspect of the program promotes the best possible development for children and their communities.
