Turning Simple Activities into Powerful Learning: Watch Our Learning Lab for ECEs

Play-based learning is powerful—but sometimes it can be difficult to clearly explain the why behind everyday activities. For early childhood educators, the challenge isn’t just setting up engaging experiences for children—it’s also recognizing the learning happening in the moment and confidently communicating it to families.

In this Learning Lab session, childcare leader Krystal Churcher shares practical, classroom-ready strategies to help educators turn simple materials and invitations to play into meaningful learning experiences.

Watch the full session below to learn how to spark curiosity, guide learning through intentional questions, and better observe and describe the skills children are developing through play.

Watch the recording:

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What You’ll Learn in This Learning Lab

In this session, Krystal walks educators through how to:

• Encourage curiosity and exploration through intentional educator prompts
• Observe children’s developmental skills while they play
• Extend learning in the moment through thoughtful interactions
• Confidently communicate the developmental value of play-based learning to families

These strategies help educators move beyond “just an activity” and clearly show how children are building important skills through exploration, creativity, and experimentation.

Why Learning Labs Matter

Learning Labs help educators strengthen their ability to connect play, observation, and communication. When educators understand the developmental goals behind play-based experiences, they are better equipped to support children’s learning and confidently explain the value of those experiences to families.

These sessions are designed to provide practical, realistic strategies that work in real childcare classrooms—without adding extra workload for educators.

Join Our Next Learning Lab

Want more practical strategies you can use right away in your classroom?

Our Learning Lab series is designed for early childhood educators and childcare leaders who want to strengthen play-based programming and deepen children’s learning experiences.

Explore upcoming Learning Labs here.