As early years professionals, we all know that play is a crucial means through which children learn and their brains develop.  Recognizing and understanding child development is a key factor in helping caregivers to optimize children’s development in all areas. This learning module explores how to engage children effectively and provide an environment that enhances the growth and development of each child. ​

Part 2 of All in a Day's Play focuses on providing experiences and an environment that enhance children’s development using communication skills, social and cognitive development. This module includes resources to assist caregivers with both observation and planning for children's experiences.​

Communication is very likely both the most important and the most complex set of skills a child will ever develop. These skills develop naturally in the first three years of life, if the child has the neurological and physical capabilities and is developing in a language-rich environment. Many factors impact the development of communication and language. 

Open a box of crayons and look inside. What are you likely to see? Colours, a wonderful array of colours! There may be a few blues but each one is unique and needed to create a masterpiece. Take out the blue and no more sky! Now, go one step further and add in a few special crayons. Perhaps one that will draw rainbows or swirls or maybe one that only draws smiles! Would you want a box like that? For me, the answer is a resounding "Yes!" This module has been adapted from the document Educator Package: A Guide to Inclusive Education for Children with Down syndrome.