Preschool Boost: Learn to Play
Weekly Group Sessions | Delivered in-service to your centre | Term-based program
Play is not a luxury — it is the work of childhood. The Learn to Play Group is a structured, therapist-led group program based on Dr Karen Stagnitti's internationally recognised Learn to Play approach, brought directly into your preschool room. Designed for children who are not yet playing to their developmental potential, the program targets the building blocks of pretend play — object substitution, doll and teddy play, role play, and the ability to create and sustain a play narrative — skills that underpin language, social development, and school readiness.
What do Learn to Play sessions look like?
Each weekly session is carefully scaffolded to gently expand what children can do, always following the child's lead within a warm, predictable structure. An AkindaCo therapist runs the group alongside your educators, modelling how to extend play in the moment and sharing strategies your team can carry forward into everyday practice. Children are referred into the group by our therapists following observation and assessment, ensuring the program is targeted and purposeful for every participant.
Which children benefit most from Learn to Play?
The Learn to Play Group is particularly well suited to children who struggle with sustained attention, social engagement, or imaginative play — including children with developmental delays, autism, language difficulties, or trauma histories. By meeting children where they are and building their play capacity, the group creates a ripple effect: children who play better, connect better, communicate better, and learn better.
“Play is our brain’s favourite way of learning.”
If you or your organisation are interested in our Preschool Boost programs, please fill in the form below and our friendly team will be in touch.