For Families

The Ultimate Block Party is a fantastic opportunity to experience first-hand the joy of play-based learning.

Every child plays. Play is affordable. Play is fun. Play is active!

And play is important for children’s healthy development. Play helps children develop strong oral communication skills. It helps them become more confident, more socially skilled, more persistent and creative in solving problems and completing tasks.

That’s why Ontario’s new early learning curriculum is play-based. And that’s why the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario is encouraging educators in all grades to introduce more play into our children’s school day.

On June 5th, you and your children can play to learn at some 20 interactive play centres hosted by some of Ontario’s leading educational and cultural organizations.

Best of all, you’ll receive a Playbook full of great ideas on how to play to learn with your children at home.

Recipes for Bringing Play Home

• Indoor Mathematical, Scientific and Technological
• Playdough Recipe
• Recipe for Marble Paper
• Mathematical Scientific and Technological
• Recipe for Goop
• Recipe for Super Bubbles
• Technology Equipment

Learn More!
Here are parent-friendly resources to help you learn more about play-based learning:

• Play or Worksheets? – Dr. Rachel Langford on the importance of play
• Playing is Learning

  What is Play? – Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO)
  Brochure – Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO)



• Health and Physical Activity

  Checklist for Fine Motor Development
  Checklist of Gross Motor Skills
  The Importance of Physical Activity

• Learning Through Play – The Research Connection
• Bringing Imagination Back – Hamilton Spectator
• Thinking It Through – Voice article, Dec. 2010
• Play Makes Program Unique – Voice article, Oct. 2010
• It’s Child’s Play – ETFO Voice article, February 2008
• Hincks Dellcrest Centre – Learning Through Play
• Canadian Childcare Federation – Supporting Children to Learn Through Play