Play & Parenting Articles from Scholastic.com

For more than 85 years, our parent company, Scholastic Inc., has created quality products and services that educate, entertain and motivate children and inform parents. These articles are from their award-winning website: www.scholastic.com.

Note: These articles are most relevant for parents of younger children (ages 3-5) but offer insight and ideas appropriate for older children as well.

11 Ways to Entertain a Baby and a Preschooler
Babies are eager to learn, and preschoolers are full of knowledge they're eager to share. Activities to put the two together!

The Power of Playing Together, from Parent & Child Magazine
What children learn from collaborating — and how to encourage it

Play, Paint, Think, and Create, from Parent & Child Magazine
Nurture your child's creative expression to encourage learning and laughter.

Five Ways to Explore, By Kyle Pruett
Simple toys and games offer a wealth of learning to your growing toddler.

Endless Possibilities, By Walter F. Drew EdD
Free play helps your child build knowledge, skills, and creativity at his own pace.

Think Outside the Sand Box, By Ellen Booth Church
Kids love digging holes and building castles with sand, but this ancient play stuff is packed with possibilities that go beyond the pail.

Inspire the Artist Within, By Samantha Brody
Author, illustrator, and educator Peter H. Reynolds talks about motivating kids to do great things.

Flights of Fancy, By David Elkind PhD
Indulge your child's natural sense of spontaneity and you'll see how play leads to discovery.

Tree-Climbing vs. Tea Parties, By Adele M. Brodkin PhD
Find the fascinating reasons behind girls' and boys' different styles of play.

5 Easy Crafts for Bad-Weather Days
Stuck inside with nothing to do? Brighten your day with these easy crafts.

5 Musts For Raising an Art-Lover from Parent & Child Magazine
Ways to help your child develop an interest and appreciation in art at home.

The Importance of Pretend Play By Ellen Booth Church
Young children learn by imagining and doing. The process of pretending builds skills in many essential developmental areas.

Trucks, Trucks, Trucks! By Megan McKinstry
When your child discovers a new passion, he's driving toward learning. So hop on for the ride.

Make the Most of Make-Believe: Choosing Toys that Are Just Right
Inspire her self-expression by providing an assortment of goods that give her the freedom to let her mind take her anywhere she wants to go.

Why Play Outdoors? By Eric Strickland
Get outside! Your child will not only build her physical prowess, she'll boost social skills too.

All About Blocks By Ellen Booth Church
Have you ever wondered why blocks are such an important part of any good early childhood classroom? Read on!

Four Toys that Promote Diversity from Parent & Child Magazine
Encourage exploration of many cultures by providing pretend-play props that span the globe.

Five Ways Toys Help Your Child Learn from Parent & Child Magazine
Toys aren't all fun and games — they're critical for your child's healthy development!

The Benefits of Board Games By Alvin Rosenfeld
Playing games with your kids is a perfect way to spend time together — and build learning skills at the same time.

Best Toys for a 3-Year-Old By Ellen Booth Church
This is the time in life when children start to develop and strengthen their creative and critical thinking skills . . .

Playing to Learn By Deborah J. Leong Ph.D and Elena Bodrova Ph.D
Understand and promote high-level, language-building play.

The Power of Pretend Play By Adele M. Brodkin, Ph.D.
Young children's capacity and eagerness to engage in increasingly complex pretend play are vital signs of healthy growth — emotionally, socially, and cognitively