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Play is Serious!
Fred Rogers ( Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood ) believed that play is an important part of a child’s development. Rogers said,“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play IS serious learning. At various times, play is a way to cope with life and to prepare for adulthood. Playing is a way to solve problems and to express feelings. In fact, play is the real work of childhood.” According to the experts at the Fred Rogers Institute, one way to encourage play and the learning it provides is to show your children that we’re interested in what they’re doing. Start by saying,“What a great idea! Can you tell me about it?”or “I’d love to know more about what you were doing. What’s that part?”Listen and prompt,
“Tell me more.”And don’t forget to take a moment and just enjoy watching them have fun. “In those everyday moments, tell children that their ideas matter—and more importantly, that they matter, that they’re loved and lovable. There’s no better gift we can give them for their journey ahead in school and in life,”says Hedda Sharapan, child development specialist with the Fred Rogers Institute.
“What are some ways to encourage my child to play games that aren’t digital?”
The content on this page was adapted from a Fred Rogers Institute email newsletter by Hedda Sharapan.
EDITOR’S PICK by Vicki Whiting, Kid Scoop News
BigFoot Visits the Big Cities of the World By D.L. Miller S earch and nd BigFoot and over 500 other hidden objects in cool cityscapes from New York to Tokyo!
Here are some simple ideas from the Fred Rogers Institute for at-home pretend play. Sometimes all it takes is a prop like an empty box, a towel, maybe some paper, and tape, to engage a child working to:
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Make a garage or doll bed from an empty box Play doctor or veterinarian with a doll or stu ed animal Make a birthday party or a tea party for a doll or stu ed animal Play grocery store and make a pretend list and pretend money Line up shoes and play shoe store Set up chairs in two rows and pretend to go on a trip Put a blanket over a table to make a cozy playhouse
World, readers can sharpen their search and nd skills by locating the lovable, globe-trotting BigFoot hiding in his favorite metropolis. It won't be easy!
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Shy and reclusive, BigFoot spends most of his time in the deep dark woods, rarely spotted by humankind. But the bright lights of the big city beckon to everyone, even our mysterious furry friend!
BigFoot visits 10 major cosmopolitan destinations, from the Big Apple and London to
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Paris, Athens, Tokyo, Toronto, and more.
Inside BigFoot Visits the Big Cities of the
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© Vicki Whiting July 2025
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