Parent Corner

Play and Potty Training

Information on two of Hogarth’s most frequently asked questions: the role of play in our curriculum and guidance on potty training.

Play’s Place in the Hogarth Curriculum

Over the last 25 years or so, what was once a first-grade curriculum has gradually become a kindergarten curriculum, and what was once a kindergarten curriculum is now often considered prekindergarten material. Along the way, free play has been reduced — in some schools almost to the point of extinction.

Not so at Hogarth.

We recognize the importance of balancing developmentally appropriate direct instruction with meaningful free play experiences. Play is not a break from learning; it is one of the primary ways young children develop social understanding, executive function, language, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

If you have a few minutes, I invite you to read through these curriculum-related blog entries, written over the years, to gain a deeper understanding of why we do what we do at Hogarth:

If you would like additional perspectives, you may also find these resources of interest:

  • A TED Talk on play featuring Dr. Stuart Brown, a pioneer in play research, who explains how abundant play in childhood contributes to happier, more resilient, and more capable adults.

  • Old-Fashioned Play Builds Serious Skills (NPR), exploring executive function and the critical role of play in its development.
  • The New Hampshire Early Learning Standards, a collaborative project of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services and the New Hampshire Department of Education. The Standards serve as a statewide resource to support and enhance young children’s development and learning.

Potty Training Tips

After curriculum questions, many parents of younger students have questions about potty training.

Each spring, I hear from families enrolled in my upcoming fall classes who are navigating the challenges of this developmental milestone.

One suggestion I offer is to be thoughtful about how potty training is connected to starting school. If you choose to talk about school in relation to toileting, keep the tone positive and encouraging. Visit the blog page together and look at photographs of the children. Talk about how “big” your child is becoming — just like the students in the pictures — and how much fun school will be.

For some children, this approach works beautifully and provides just the incentive they need to transition from diapers to the toilet. For others, tying potty training too closely to school can increase pressure and unintentionally create anxiety about the start of school.

You will usually sense fairly quickly whether the connection is motivating or stressful for your child. Trust your instincts.

Below are several helpful resources on the subject. You may find that just the right insight is waiting in one of these articles: