Play isn’t just important—it’s essential. It helps children grow emotionally, socially, physically, and cognitively in ways few other activities can. Yet, in recent years, play has been sidelined, with real developmental costs to children’s developing regulation, social competence, and academic engagement. In this session, we’ll explore why that matters and share practical, high-impact changes families can make to bring play back to the forefront. Register Here

In a world where screens dominate and safety often takes precedence over exploration, children are growing up with fewer opportunities to discover, imagine, and take meaningful risks. Yet the research is clear: kids learn best through hands-on experiences—and play is the ultimate teacher. Join The Alliance for Early Childhood, in partnership with TrueNorth Parent University, for a powerful four-part series designed to help you bring more play into your child’s life. Grounded in developmental science and filled with real-world strategies, this series explores how play nurtures children’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth. Together, we’ll examine the societal shifts that have chipped away at play, why play matters now more than ever, and how to make it an intentional, enriching part of everyday life. Each session includes practical ideas you can try at home and opportunities to connect with other parents who value the power of play.