These materials and approach have been piloted with Early Head Start, Healthy Families and Migrant Head Start programs as well as Family Literacy Programs funded by the Secretary of State's Literacy Office
in the state of Illinois
Developed by
The Center of Imaginal Education
in consultation with
Ann Austin, Ph.D., Utah State University
Lynn Cutis, Ph.D., Laubach Literacy
Helen Heal, Ph.D., California Institute on Human Services, Sonoma State University
Dr. Karl Hess, M.D., Pediatrician, Kaiser Permanente
Donna Mahr, M.Ed., Grandmother, Parent Share
Roberta Purcell, Ph.D., Coordinator, Early On
Elaine Weeks, Ed.D, LDS Charities
Ernie Weeks, Ed.D, LDS Charities
Paula Otto, Teacher, and Mother
Jane Stavoe, Teacher, Mother, and Grandmother
Tina Valdes, Teacher, and Mother
Sandy Curtis, Socialworker, Mother, and Grandmother
Barbara Jones, Computer Consultant
Linda Koch, Grandmother, Artist
Dorcas Rose, Grandmother, Artist
Pat Klatt, Artist
Lorraine Otto, Artist
JoAlice Seybert, Artist
Jane Warren, Artist
Contact Information
Timothy J. Duszynski, Ph.D.
Director of National Programs
Institute of Cultural Affairs-USA
The Learning Basket Program
4750 North Sheridan Rd
Chicago, IL 60640
"Play to Learn is one of those rare accessible, instruments that can enhance and support the parent-child alliance just when it needs to get on the right track. Simple but not simplistic, it speaks instantly to the world's parents of peaceful, mutually enjoyable learning."
Dr. Kyle Pruett
President of Zero to Three
Author of the books Me, Myself, and I and The Fatherneed
"For most infants and toddlers their parents are their first and best love. Play to Learnand the Learning Basket approach are wonderful tools which provide children and parents delightful time to cultivate that love through learning and playing together."
Alicia Lieberman, Ph.D
Professor of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco
Senior Psychologists, Infant-Parent program
Author of the book The Emotional life of the Toddler
The Play to Learn activity book provides age-appropriate multicultural activities for Parents and Children Together (PACT) interactive play..
Parenting Education and Support
The Parents are Teachers literacy manual provides multicultural line drawings that stimulate conversation, critical thinking and problem-solving while enhancing vocabulary. The manual has been developed in collaboration with Proliteracy Worldwide.
The Lessons of Danielle and Carlos is a series of 13 presentations conveying critical information about the role of play in the development of language and learning. The lessons contain role plays, reflective conversations and interactive activities.
Success Before School: Child Readiness
The Learning Basket contains
18 categories of objects that are appropriate for interactive play with infants and toddlers.
The Play to Learn activity book provides activities that nurture learning through multiple intelligences across four major learning domains. A special emphasis is put on language development and pre-math and pre-reading skills as well as the development of self-confidence, self-image and imagination.
Home Visitation Manual
The Learning Basket Home Visitation Manual was written in collaboration with the Howard Area Community Center Infant and Toddler program in Chicago. The manual is user-friendly, containing over 100 pages of age-appropriate activities which were developed by seasoned home visitors who have the concern for partnering with parents to develop their children's optimal potential.
Practitioner Training Program
The Practitioners Training Program is a series of three-day course offerings that equip practitioners to successfully design and implement a family literacy program using the Learning Basket approach. Three-hour modules include training in Home Visitation emphasizing a partnership with parents, and developing pre-literacy skills through interactive play, and nurturing adult literacy through life skills education.
