Lead with Love: Following Your Child's Interests in Play

As parents, caregivers, and professionals who work with young children, we often find ourselves wondering how can I best support my child's development? The answer, quite often, is simpler than you might think: Lead with love. But in this context, I don’t just mean leading with love from your heart — I mean leading with what your child loves.

When we tap into our child's deep interests and favorite things, we unlock a magical world of connection, learning, and joy. This approach is not just about having fun; it’s about making learning meaningful and accessible to your child. Let’s explore what it means to lead with love in play and why it can make a huge difference in your child's development.

What Does It Mean to Lead with What Your Child Loves?

Every child has a special interest — cars, animals, dinosaurs, dolls, trains, building blocks — and when we intentionally follow their lead in play, we give them the greatest gift: validation. By showing them that what they love matters to us, we encourage them to stay engaged, communicate, explore, and expand their skills.

For example, let’s say your child is OBSESSED with cars. Cars are life. Nothing else seems to capture their attention quite the same way. Rather than trying to redirect their interest to something more “educational,” we challenge you to meet them where they are — in car world.

How to Expand Play Through Their Interests

Here’s where the magic happens. You’re not just playing with cars — you’re creating a world where play supports growth across motor, communication, social, and cognitive skills. Here’s how you can build on their love of cars:

1. Give Cars a Life Story

   • Name the cars. Ask your child what each car’s name is or offer some fun suggestions.

   • Create storylines! Maybe the blue car is feeling tired and needs a nap. The red car is hungry and needs to “refuel” with gas or snacks.

2. Incorporate Sound Effects and Language

   • Use different car noises like "vroom vroom," "beep beep," or "screech!" to engage them in sound play.

   • Narrate what’s happening: “Oh no! The car got stuck in traffic. What should we do?”

3. Expand the Scene

   • Build a city with blocks, play mats, or household items.

   • Pretend the cars are at the grocery store, school, or a car wash.

   • Introduce problems for the cars to solve: “Oh no! This car ran out of gas. What should we do?”

4. Use Play to Build Everyday Skills

   • Help the cars learn manners: “This car wants a turn, let’s ask nicely.”

   • Introduce counting: “How many cars do we have today?”

   • Encourage pretend play: “Time for the cars to brush their teeth and go to bed!”

The goal is to meet your child where their love and excitement already are — and then gently expand it to incorporate learning.

Why Is This Approach So Powerful?

When children see their interests valued, they feel seen and understood. This creates more willingness to engage, communicate, and collaborate with you. Additionally, you’re subtly teaching them so many things: language, turn-taking, problem-solving, creativity, and emotional regulation — all through their favorite activity.

Children don’t need flashcards or rigid lesson plans to learn effectively. They need connection through play. By joining them in their world and expanding their interests, you’re giving them the richest learning experience possible.

Practical Tips to Keep in Mind

• Resist the urge to redirect: If your child only wants to play with cars, that’s okay! Lean into it instead of shifting their focus.

• Follow their lead, but enrich it: Add little elements of challenge like problem-solving, storytelling, or social play.

• Celebrate their imagination: If they start making their own storylines, go with it! Don’t correct them — just enjoy the world they create.

• Make it fun for YOU too: Don’t be afraid to put on a silly voice, act dramatic, or get creative.

Lead with Love, Play with Joy

At the end of the day, children learn best when they are motivated and connected — and what better way to do that than through what they already love? Whether it’s cars, dinosaurs, baby dolls, or LEGO, your role is to step into their world and build learning opportunities from there.

So, dust off your Imagination Cap, grab those toy cars (or whatever they’re obsessed with), and dive into play. You might just be surprised at how much they learn — and how much fun you have — when you lead with love.

What do you think about Leading with Love? Let us know in the comments below!

Team NewDay Child Coaching

Rachel Lynn: Communication and Swallowing/Feeding Guide

Amber Michelle: Physical Development Guide

Amanda Rae: Fine Motor, Sensorimotor, Sensory/Feeding Guide

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