What is Play&Learn?
Research shows that as parents and caregivers, we have an important role in supporting early development and this can happen through PLAY!
Play&Learn provides expert reviewed games and activities that are appropriate for 3 different age groups: toddler (1.5-2.5 years); preschool (over 2.5 years - 4 years); and kindergarten (over 4 years-6 years). Games and activities are provided in 4 developmental domains, though it is recognized that many developmental concepts overlap. The 4 developmental domains are:
- Thinking & Learning
- Social & Emotional
- Movement
- Language
How do I use Play&Learn?
As parents or care givers, we’re all busy! Finding fun, engaging, and easy to play games and activities can seem like a challenge. Simply click on the age group of your child and then choose the area that you are interested in. You will have a list of 3-5 activities in each domain to choose from. Then starting playing! Many of the games and activities can be completed in less than 15 minutes and require little equipment.
Suggestions are provided to make the activities easier or more challenging, so you can adjust the games and activities to suit where you child is at. Most importantly, the time you spend with your child will be fun for both of you – a little bit of play goes a long way!
About the INCH Lab and DeLI
Play&Learn was developed by the Infant and Child Health Lab (INCH) and the Division of e-Learning Innovation (DeLI).
INCH is a lab at both the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto and the Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University that is focussed on research related to children’s mental and physical health. The INCH lab has conducted leading research related to assessing child development through screening tools, motor coordination, and physical literacy. The results from our studies are used daily by healthcare practitioners, parents and caregivers.
DeLI is an educational research and development group within the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University. DeLI has expertise in instructional design, multimedia development, computer-based learning technologies, and research and evaluation. DeLI creates high quality learning resources and leading edge technologies to support e-learning for both health care professionals (machealth.ca) and the public (healthhq.ca).
Contact Us
If you have any questions or need assistance please feel free to contact us.
