Learning Through Play – A monthly parenting & early childhood development column
By Kelly McDonald & Paula Kelly
January, 2026
You want to support your child’s development.
You read the articles. You save the posts. You try to “do it right.”
And then… the questions sneak in.
“Am I playing with them enough?” “Should play be more educational?” “What if I’m missing something important?”
If this sounds familiar, take a deep breath — you’re not alone. These are some of the most common (and completely understandable) questions parents ask. The good news? Supporting your child’s development doesn’t require special toys, complicated activities, or a background in child development.
That’s where Learning Through Play comes in.
This new monthly series is all about sharing simple, realistic ways to support your child’s growth through everyday play — the kind that fits naturally into real life. We’ll explore how play helps build skills like emotional regulation, communication, problem-solving, and social connection using moments you’re already sharing with your child.
Let’s clear up one common misconception right away:
Learning through play doesn’t mean turning every moment into a lesson.
Children learn best when play feels joyful, safe, and child-led. Building with blocks, pretending at the grocery store, playing outside, or working through big feelings during a game — these moments are doing important developmental work, even when they don’t look “educational” on the surface.
What this series will explore
Over the coming months, we’ll break down why play is such a powerful tool for learning and growth, how small shifts can make everyday play even more meaningful, what skills are developing beneath the fun, and how parents can feel more confident — and less pressure.
Most importantly, this series is meant to serve our community. These posts aren’t about perfection or performance. They’re about understanding, connection, and meeting children exactly where they are. We also want this to be a conversation. If there are topics, challenges, or questions you’d love us to explore in future posts, we invite you to share them.
You don’t need to add more to your plate to support your child’s development. Chances are, you’re already doing more than you think.
About the Authors
Kelly McDonald and Paula Kelly are the founders and owners of FUNdamentals, an educational play center located in East Providence, RI. Kelly is an occupational therapist, and Paula is a special educator, each with over 20 years of experience supporting children and families. As professionals and mothers, they are passionate about creating engaging, relationship-driven experiences that help children build confidence, skills, and a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Do you have a topic you would like to see Kelly & Paula cover? If so, let us know by emailing Info@EastProvHospitality.com with “Learning Through Play” in the subject line.
