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Our Blog
Discover inspiring opportunities for your child to engage in open-ended explorations in
play, mindfulness, art, nature, and other language and literacy-rich foundations of
early childhood, growth, and learning.
What Happens When Children Stay With Their Art
Why do children return to the same paint, clay, or charcoal for days or weeks? Here is what that continued interest is really building.
Why Children Return to the Same Play Again and Again
Why do children return to the same play again and again? Discover how repeated play gives children time to build ideas, solve problems, develop confidence, ...
What Nature Makes Possible for Children
Spending unhurried time outdoors helps children build confidence, ask questions, and form a lasting relationship with the natural world. Here is what that looks like ...
The Natural Mindfulness of Childhood
Children have a natural capacity for mindfulness, found in the small moments when curiosity takes over. This post explores how awareness of the body, senses, ...
What Your Child May Be Communicating Through Art
Children communicate far more through art than the finished picture shows. This post explores how their thinking unfolds through creating, and how we can respond ...
Helping Your Child Unwind After Childcare, Preschool, or School
There is a lot happening between "How was your day?" and the child who walks through the door. This post explores what children may be ...
The Child Who Says, “Watch Me”
What does a child mean when they say “Watch me”? Discover how curiosity, presence, and shared attention can deepen connection with your child.
Beyond Words: What if children are communicating far more than we are noticing?
Children communicate far beyond words. Discover how observation, curiosity, and relationships help us better understand children’s thinking over time.
Seeing The Child Before Us: Understanding Your Child with Curiosity
How much of what we believe about our children comes from who they are today, and how much comes from what we have come to ...
Trending Posts
What Happens When Children Stay With Their Art
Why do children return to the same paint, clay, or charcoal for days or weeks? Here is what that continued interest is really building.
Why Children Return to the Same Play Again and Again
Why do children return to the same play again and again? Discover how repeated play gives children time to build ideas, solve problems, develop confidence, ...
What Nature Makes Possible for Children
Spending unhurried time outdoors helps children build confidence, ask questions, and form a lasting relationship with the natural world. Here is what that looks like ...
The Natural Mindfulness of Childhood
Children have a natural capacity for mindfulness, found in the small moments when curiosity takes over. This post explores how awareness of the body, senses, ...
A Few of Our Inspirations
FRESH FROM THE BLOG
When we nourish the heart, mind, body & spirit of the child,
we bring hope to the world for today and all of our tomorrows.
Susan Wright
Discover New Ways to Reimagine Childhood
FAQ
What topics does The Playful Child blog cover?
The blog covers play-based learning, open-ended art for children, nature-based activities, mindfulness, holistic child wellness, simple living, outdoor family play, literacy foundations, and Reggio Emilia-inspired early childhood education — written by Susan Wright, an educator, specifically a certified teacher with 30+ years of experience.
Who writes The Playful Child blog?
All blog posts are written by Susan Wright, founder of The Playful Child, an Ontario Certified Teacher and early childhood specialist with over 30 years of experience in play-based learning, Reggio Emilia practice, and child development.
How often is The Playful Child blog updated?
The blog is updated regularly with new posts on play, art, mindfulness, nature, and child development. Subscribe to the email list to receive new posts and free seasonal inspirations directly to your inbox.
Why is play important for children's development?
Play is essential for children's brain development, emotional regulation, social skills, creativity, and love of learning. Research by Dr. Stuart Brown and others shows that play is as vital to healthy development as sleep and nutrition.
What makes The Playful Child blog different from other parenting blogs?
Unlike general parenting blogs, The Playful Child blog is written by a certified teacher and early childhood specialist with 30+ years of hands-on experience. Every post connects theory directly to practical, everyday ideas rooted in The Playful Child Approach, and grounded in a Reggio Emilia-informed philosophy for holistic child development.
What age group does The Playful Child blog focus on?
The blog primarily focuses on children from birth through age 8, covering the early childhood years when play, creativity, and relationships are most critical for brain development and lifelong learning.