Play is the essence of a child's work. Children learn through productive play. Developmentally appropriate hands-on activities enable children to use their developing problem-solving skills and make endless discoveries that apply to reading, writing, math, and science.

Dramatic play helps children build their communication skills, learn to use their imagination, and develop a respect for role-playing. Computer play and literacy activities support developing phonemic awareness skills; while some children are building reading and writing readiness skills, others are beginning readers and preparers.

Keeping in mind that productive play is the pathway to learning for preschool-age children, what interesting materials and experiences might promote cognitive and language growth? Include activities that promote literacy development.