Can everyday play help families feel more connected? A new study from the University of East London’s Institute for the Science of Early Years, in partnership with kinderglobal, is exploring how shared play shapes communication and emotional connection between parents and young children. During a successful UK pilot, researchers observed that during shared play: ✨ Parents and children moved physically closer ✨ Language became responsive and connected ✨ Families felt more emotionally in sync Using wearable sensors and real-time recordings inside family homes, the research looked at what actually happens during play — not just what families remember afterwards. The next phase will explore whether play also supports emotional regulation and different types of family bonding. Professor Sam Wass, Director of ISEY, said, “Play is often seen as something fun or optional, but our research suggests it may be fundamental to how families connect.” #UELInnovatorsOfTomorrow #kinder