PLAY ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN BIRTH TO NINE YEARS -- Provides a list of several activities parents and caregivers can do with preschoolers.

CHILDREN AND PLAY -- Information about children and play from birth to age 6.

HELPING YOUNG CHILDREN DEVELOP THROUGH PLAY: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, AND TEACHERS -- Contains detailed, practical suggestions on how adults can foster play with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-agers. Chapters include: the importance of play; what adults can do to support play; helping babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and primary age children play; and making nonplay more playful.

THE RIGHT STUFF FOR CHILDREN BIRTH TO 8: SELECTING PLAY MATERIALS TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT -- Author Martha Bronson provides clear descriptions of play at each age. Gives you an understanding of cognitive, social, and emotional development as revealed in the everyday activities of children.

HELPING CHILDREN GROW: PROVIDING EARLY STIMULATION -- This publication looks at ways adults can provide stimulating environments and activities to support their child's development and learning in the early years. Topics include the cradle of learning, you're never to young to learn, an everyday experience, and exploring the world day by day. Includes ages and stages information about toys and activities.

BETTER KID CARE PROGRAM: TIPS AND IDEAS FOR TAKING CARE OF KIDS -- 101 ways to keep kids busy, activity ideas, snack ideas, etc. You can search for activities by age/stage of development, season, materials, and keyword.

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GOOD TIMES WITH CHILD CARE SERIES -- A guide to use when working with young children from infancy through school-age. The materials help child care providers learn how to care for children and give them suggestions that can help children grow and develop in the best way possible.

GOOD TIMES AT PLAY -- This article looks at why play is important, kinds of play, how play helps children grow, ages and stages of play (infants through school-age), how adults can help children play, a list of suggested activities to help adults learn more about children and play, and a chart of age-appropriate toys and activities.

GOOD TIMES WITH TOYS -- This article addresses the following: What are Toys?, Why are Toys Important?, TV as a Toy for Children, Ages and Stages (infants through school-age), and Learn By Doing (ways to help you learn more about selecting/making toys/play activities for children).

GOOD TIMES WITH MUSIC AND RHYTHM -- This article looks at the role music plays throughout our lives. It addresses the benefits of music and why music and rhythm are important. It defines music and rhythm and looks at how adults can create musical fun for children from infancy through school-age. It also provides a list of ways adults can help children enjoy music and rhyme.

GOOD TIMES BEING CREATIVE -- This article gives caregivers information about the importance of creative experiences in young children's development. It includes ages and stages information about creativity in children from birth through age 9. Suggestions are given for activities that will enhance children's creativity through art, music, and pretending. Includes recipes for finger paints and play doughs.

GOOD TIMES WITH STORIES AND POEMS -- This article looks at why stories and poems are important, what constitutes stories and poems, choosing books for children, reading to children, and ages and stages (infants through school-age) -- includes information on age-appropriate books, recommended books (titles and authors), and tips for parents and caregivers.

GOOD TIMES AT PARTIES -- This article provides information on planning age-appropriate parties for children (birth through school-age). Looks at the different needs/interests of each age group and how to plan a successful party.

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KEYS TO GREAT PARENTING: RECIPES FOR ARTISTIC AND SENSORY FUN FOR 2- AND 3-YEAR-OLDS -- A list of recipes for playdoughs and fingerpaint.

FAVORITE RECIPES FOR ART MATERIALS -- A list of recipes for playdough, paints, paste, and bubbles.

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MUSIC APPRECIATION: A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE FOR ALL AGES -- This publication addresses the importance of exposure to music during the early years and how caregivers can play an important role in incorporating music and movement into a child’s life. Topics include music for infants and toddlers, music and movement, and making music.

FOLLOW ME TOO: A HANDBOOK OF MOVEMENT ACTIVITIES FOR THREE- TO FIVE-YEAR-OLDS -- Active movement games encourage cooperative learning, and teamwork. The book includes the research and theory behind using movement games in early childhood programs, 49 field-tested games, adaptations for responding to individual abilities and needs, a chart of perpetual-motor skills involved in each game, suggestions for parent involvement, and directions for making inexpensive equipment.

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TOYS AND EQUIPMENT -- Suggestions for choosing toys for infants through school-age children.

TIPS ON TOYS -- Provides information about safe and developmentally appropriate toys from birth through 12 years.

UNDERSTANDING CHILDREN: TOYS -- Information on appropriate toys for children from infancy to age 12.  Includes a list of recommended toys and toys to avoid.  Also addresses toy safety.

TOYS: TOOLS FOR LEARNING -- Information on how toys teach, tips on choosing toys, getting involved in your child's play, and what makes a good toy.

BLOCK PLAY: BUILDING A CHILD'S MIND -- This publication looks at the benefits of play with unit blocks. They are ideal for learning because they involve the child as a whole -- the way she moves her muscles, the way she discovers how different objects feel in her hands, the way she thinks about spaces and shapes, and the way she develops thoughts and interests of her own. Topics include toys that grow with your child, blocks help children learn, and blocks in the classroom.

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START EARLY WITH BOOKS -- Information on selecting books, the value of reading, and storytime from birth through school-age.

YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE: WAYS TO GET YOUR CHILD READY FOR READING -- Ways parents and caregivers can use the time between birth and 5 years of age to prepare a child for reading.

RAISE A READER: SUGGESTIONS FOR DEVELOPING READING SKILLS -- This publication provides suggestions on how parents can help their children become better readers at different stages of development (from birth to age 5+).

HELP YOUR CHILDREN TO LOVE READING -- Some ways to interest children in books.

TIPS FOR PARENTS: CREATING READING READINESS -- Looks at what you can do to get your child ready to read.  Includes ages & stages information.

TEAM UP WITH A CHILD–READ ALOUD -- Provides information on the following: the benefits of reading aloud to children, how it affects the language skills of 2- and 3-year-olds, and how to make reading time more successful.

HELPING YOUR CHILD BECOME A READER - WITH ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN FROM INFANCY THROUGH AGE 6 -- This booklet offers pointers on how to build the language skills of young children, and includes a list of typical language accomplishments for different age groups, suggestions for books, and resources for children with reading problems or learning disabilities.  U.S. Department of Education.

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COOKING WITH CHILDREN: KIDS IN THE KITCHEN -- This newsletter article provides ideas for age-appropriate activities using food.  It includes a list of activities three-year-olds will enjoy.  It also gives safety tips when doing cooking and food activities.  A few recipes are included.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:  CHILDREN IN THE KITCHEN -- This publication provides tips for parents when they are working with kids in the kitchen.  Activity suggestions are provided for preschool, primary school-age, and middle school-age children.

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GETTING ALONG: TAMING THE TV -- This fact sheet discusses the effects of television viewing on young children. The author gives parents suggestions for using TV wisely with young children.  Topics include TV Facts, TV Violence, Parents Can Limit the Negative Effects of TV Violence, Take Control of the Remote, Who is Watching?, TV Should be a Choice, Not a Habit, Put TV in its Place, Talk Back to the TV, What About Music Videos and Talk Shows, Teach Children to Be TV Critics, and Speak Out.

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FAMILY TIME SERIES -- A series of publications on activities parents can do with their two- and three-year-old children during different seasons. Includes information on child development during this stage and different ways to spend time together as a family. Provides activities that explore the family, community, foods, plants and animals, crafts, and other fun things.

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer

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BIRTHDAY PARTIES FOR CHILDREN -- Information on how to plan birthday parties and activities that are fun and age-appropriate (birth to age 6).