This keynote will explore how play helps  babies and young children to understand and make sense of what they have been learning in ideas, feeling, relationships and  to realise what they know and understand, and to make connections. Froebel observed the importance of play in early childhood development. He understood that children learn things through their senses, movements and their interactions with the environment, people in their families, and community.  In order for children to use what they have seen or heard they have to make it part of themselves. They also have to put it together and understand it in some way. That's why they need play to coordinate their learning.