Open-Ended Thoughts

STEM in early childhood isn’t optional—it’s essential. This post explores why the best way to build STEM thinking in young learners is through hands-on, large-scale magnetic tile play. Learn how tactile learning builds real-world skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and spatial reasoning—and why it’s time we stop treating STEM as an “add-on” in early education.

If dramatic play has ever been the first thing you cut when the day gets busy… you’re not alone. But here’s the truth: dramatic play isn’t fluff. It’s one of the richest, most cognitively engaging things happening in your classroom—when we let it be. Research shows that the way kids engage in play, especially dramatic play, can drive language development, self-regulation, empathy, and real academic growth.