Online Extension Extras for Parents: Purpose of Play

May 19, 2026 7:30PM - 9:00PM

Online; 7:30-9pm ET

Contact: Courtney Aldrich, aldric82@msu.edu, 517-993-8649

May 19: The Purpose of Play

Play is a child’s work! Children need quality play experiences in early childhood to help them learn and develop. The Purpose of Play will help parents and caregivers discover why play-based education for young children is so critical to their social, emotional, language, cognitive and physical development. This workshop will help participants learn about why play matters, discuss why children today are not having play-based experiences at home, examine the value of outdoor, sensory and pretend play experiences, learn about the skills are learned through play and learn strategies to support play experiences for young children.

Extension Extras for Parents are free online parenting workshops that provide guidance for parents as they navigate the joys, challenges and concerns of parenting.

Participants will receive a certificate of attendance.

Certificates for participation are provided upon completion of the class.

Participants have the option to attend and actively participate via computer, or an app on a tablet or smartphone. Attendees can also listen to the presentation via phone (by calling in). Those who choose to call in must contact the instructor for directions on how to be eligible for a certificate.

If multiple people in the same location want to participate in the webinar and need certificates, they have to join the webinar separately or contact the instructor for special instructions to each receive a certificate. 

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