Guided play is a powerful tool educators can use to help preschoolers and kindergartners learn essential knowledge and skills in the context of playful situations. Apply the information, strategies, and ideas in this book to: Provide content-rich, joyful learning experiences; Balance child-guided and adult-guided play; Set up play environments with learning goals in mind; Offer suggestions and questions during play to prompt children's reflection and deeper learning. Young children's natural curiosity and dynamic imaginations can lead to exciting and meaningful learning opportunities. Discover how to provide guided play experiences along with opportunities for unstructured play to support children's knowledge in key areas and their lifelong enjoyment and pursuit of learning.

Introduction /Marie L. Masterson and Holly Bohart -- Part One: Intentionally creating play environments for learning -- Brain science and guided play / Brenna Hassinger-Das, Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, and Roberta Michnick Golinkoff -- Observing, planning, guiding: how an intentional teacher meets standards through play / Patricia McDonald -- Part two: Providing rich content experiences through play -- Supporting language through culturally rich dramatic play / Irasema Salinas-Gonzalez, María G. Arreguín-Anderson, and Iliana Alanís -- Connecting art, literacy, and drama through storytelling / Bonnie Ripstein -- Playful math instruction and standards / Deborah Stipek -- Fostering positive experiences in the math center for African American boys / Daniella B. Davis and Dale C. Farran -- What can you do with bamboo? Preschoolers explore a natural material / Condi Collins Ward -- Engaging and enriching play is rigorous learning / Shannon Riley-Ayers and Alexandra Figueras-Daniel -- Reflection / Marie L. Masterson -- For families: play and learning go hand in hand / Laurel Bongiorno.