We have all heard the phrase “play is a child’s work” but how can we convince parents that play should be a meaningful part of their child’s routine?Play, with its inclusion as one of the critical early literacy practices advocated by the Every Child Ready to Read (ECRR) initiative, may be the hardest sell of the five practices to parents, educators, and even administrators. It may be seen as optional or extra, something to be done after the child has spent time “learning” if there is time.