For our babies, developing secure attachments is a necessary precursor to play. Children begin to establish a secure attachment through consistent responsive caregivers. One unique skill of our caregivers is their ability to self regulate. This is fundamental to children's development of their own self regulation skills. Children learn how to self regulate through co-regulation with caring, connected, competent caregivers. These budding self regulation skills added to the secure base set the stage for future exploration of their world. 

Research demonstrates children learn through play! Our playful interactions support our children as they transition into toddlerhood. Our teachers navigate and support developmentally typical interactions as children begin to explore and engage in their world. Resilience is based on responsive caregivers. Daily interactions build on their curiosity and enthusiasm through fine and gross motor development. 

Incorporating play-based learning into a child's environment can foster their creativity, problem-solving skills, and social development. By providing children with a safe and stimulating play area, they can explore and learn through interactive and engaging activities. This can also help them develop their motor skills and hand-eye coordination. As children grow and expand their world, they can benefit from having a designated space that encourages their curiosity and supports their learning journey. Play-based learning can set a strong foundation for future academic success and promote a lifelong love of learning. Play is how we engage early learners and scaffold building new skills. Daily interactions explicitly expand upon social-emotional learning opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom, with the support and guidance of teachers and peers. Early literacy and numeracy skills continue to be built upon and introduced as skills sharpen. 

Creating a play-based learning environment for children involves careful consideration of various design elements, including diverse educational materials, interactive components, a conducive social environment, colors and textures as sensory stimuli, technology integration, inclusivity, and various components to enhance the educational experience. These elements can foster creativity, problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and life skills such as teamwork and communication in a fun and engaging manner. Recent studies have revealed that children learn best through play. By engaging in a mix of teacher-directed and self-initiated activities, children are able to enhance their literacy and numeracy skills while building on their existing knowledge. Regular interactions with teachers and peers also help to reinforce these skills, setting children up for success both academically and socially.