"How can we help families to understand that school readiness means more than knowing letters and numbers? How can we support intellectual engagement as school readiness? I believe that it all starts with relationships," writes Alissa Mwenelupembe in "Talking about Play with Parents," the article at the heart of the latest Exchange Reflections discussion guide. Mwenelupembe offers a range of tips for teachers and directors to help gain parents' trust in linking play-based learning with intellectual development:

• Be present and available
• Respect families
• Connect with families on their dreams for their children
• Offer exemplary customer service

This may seem like a lot of build-up to talk about learning through play, but as Laurel Bongiorno notes in a 2018 article in Teaching Young Children, "Parents rarely question the role of play in their infants’ and toddlers’ learning. But as young children enter preschool, a shift takes place. Parents seem to start doubting the learning aspects of play. They look instead to “academics”—direct instruction, workbooks, and children sitting still in the classroom."
Mwenelupembe reminds us, "Play is the language of children. Unfortunately, through time and experiences, adults have lost this language. When we, as early childhood professionals, can reconnect families with this lost language we are giving them a gift." How might you start a conversation with parents about their dreams for their children or otherwise help them reconnect with the 'lost language' of play? Share your thoughts!