11 Object Play

READ FIRST– The following resources give an overview of object play and the type of toys that support children’s learning and development.

• Read “Object Play” (pp. 11-14) in The Power of Play: A Research Summary on Play and Learning by Dr. Rachel E. White for Minnesota Children’s Museum (~9 minute read)
• What Makes a Good Toy? Lessons Learned from 10 Years of the TIMPANI Toy Study by Eastern Connecticut State University (~ 6 minutes)

CHOOSE ONE– Select at least one of the resources below to learn more about constructive and object play.

• It’s Time for Play! Building Forts by Head Start ELCKC (~ 6 minutes)

In this video, learn about the simple materials children can use to make forts and the developmental benefits of this type of constructive play.

• TIMPANI Study by Eastern Connecticut State University

Here you will find a selection of videos where you can learn about the results of this work each year of the TIMPANI Toy Study.