Play is the Foundation

a monthly message from Executive Director Jamila Carter

At PIC, we believe that play is the foundation of all learning. Our classrooms are intentionally designed to give children the time, space, and materials they need to explore, imagine, and create. Whether they are building elaborate block structures, caring for baby dolls in dramatic play, or experimenting with sensory materials, children are developing critical thinking skills, building social connections, and making sense of the world around them. Play is not just something children do – it is how they learn best.

As summer unfolds, our classrooms and outdoor spaces are alive with energy, laughter, and exploration. During my visits to classrooms this month, I’ve had the joy of watching children fully immersed in their play. Whether they’re mixing mud on the Nature Playground, setting up elaborate dramatic play scenes, or constructing towers taller than themselves, their focus and creativity are inspiring.

In dramatic play, I’ve seen children take on the roles of caretakers, doctors, chefs, and community helpers, weaving elaborate stories together. These moments build so much more than imagination. They are practicing essential social skills – taking turns, cooperating, negotiating, and learning how to navigate the complexities of relationships. It’s beautiful to witness their kindness and leadership emerge as they include friends in their games and work through conflicts with growing confidence.

One moment that stood out to me recently was watching a group of preschoolers transform their dramatic play area into a family home. Each child took on a role within the family – parent, sibling, or baby – and their play reflected real-life experiences with such thoughtfulness. They made sure the babies were fed and changed, rocked them gently to sleep, and even set up time for the babies to play. As they moved through their roles, they practiced empathy, care, and responsibility, showing just how deeply they observe and understand the world around them.

Block play has also been a highlight in my visits. I’ve seen children build intricate structures with careful thought, testing different ways to balance pieces to keep their creations stable and steady. Through this, they’re developing critical problem-solving skills, spatial awareness, and perseverance. Each tower that falls becomes a lesson in resilience as they regroup and try again with a new strategy. These moments remind us that children’s learning is complex, layered, and driven by their own curiosity and determination.

At PIC, we view each child as a capable and curious learner, and we honor their ideas and interests as the foundation of our curriculum. Classrooms are carefully designed to encourage a rich mixture of structured and unstructured play experiences. Our teachers are intentional in their planning, curating materials and invitations to play that spark wonder, creativity, and discovery each day. A basket of smooth stones next to the block area might inspire architectural designs, while clipboards and pencils in dramatic play invite children to create lists and signs, weaving literacy into their stories. These thoughtful choices create learning-rich environments where children are free to imagine while building essential skills.

I invite you to take a moment this week to observe your child deeply at play. What stories are they creating? What problems are they solving? You may be amazed by the complexity of their thinking and the ways they are making sense of their world. Thank you for trusting us with your children and for sharing in our mission to give them the opportunity to play, grow, and thrive. Together, we are creating a community where childhood is honored, and children are free to become the confident, compassionate learners we know they can be.