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Building School Readiness Through Play: Canyon County Early Learning Collaborative

Play 2 Learn brings young children and their parents together for stories, sensory activities, and connection.

Idaho AEYC Stories of Impact graphic with an adult and child exploring foam blocks

Canyon County’s Play 2 Learn program creates opportunities for children and parents to learn side by side. Idaho AEYC’s July 2026 story describes a free program for children ages zero to five, meeting weekly for 90 minutes during September through May.

Project Manager Kari Palmer launched the program in 2024 with support from Idaho AEYC and Caldwell School District. It grew from a single-session idea into a program at three locations across Nampa and Caldwell.

Sessions combine stories, songs, imaginative play, sensory activities, and outdoor exploration. Families build connections while parents see how everyday play supports early learning.

Play 2 Learn complements READY! for Kindergarten, which gives families materials and parent education to continue learning at home. For current program locations and availability, follow the official article or contact Idaho AEYC.

This is a summary of Idaho AEYC’s published article. Read the original story ↗