Play is How Children Learn.
How You Play Is What Matters.
Play With Purpose teaches parents and caregivers how to turn everyday play into powerful opportunities for communication, connection, and development for every child.
What Is Play With Purpose?
A complete curriculum system that gives nannies and caregivers the tools to support every area of a child’s development through everyday play, routines, and real-life moments.
Not a Lesson Plan
No scripted lessons. Just simple, evidence-based activities that fit naturally into the day during play, meals, bath time, and getting dressed.
Built for Real Life
Every activity includes a nanny script, materials list, and Level Up/Down options. Even the feeding and mealtime section is included because it's a real daily challenge.
Grounded in Research
Every skill target and activity is grounded in ABA, ASHA, AOTA, APTA, and CDC guidelines not opinion. You'll know exactly why each activity matters.
The Magic Is in the Interaction, Not the Toy
Most parenting resources focus on keeping children busy the right toys, the right activities. Play With Purpose focuses on something more powerful: how you interact with your child.
Grounded in speech-language development, behavioral science, and child development research, this program teaches adults how to turn everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for communication, connection, and growth.
Whether your child is typically developing, has a speech delay, autism, or any developmental difference — this program is for you.
A Nanny Doesn't Need to Teach Lessons
They simply follow a daily rhythm with 2 activities and routine-based learning. The weekly theme tells them what to focus on.
Theme Title
The focus of the theme (e.g., Animals & Their Homes)
Vocabulary
5 key words related to the theme to build language
Learning Focus
A short explanation of what skills the theme supports
Suggested Activities
3 matching Activity Cards that connect to the theme (by name/code only)
Everyday Connection
A simple way to bring the theme into daily routines
Parent Conversation Prompt
A question or idea to encourage interaction and language
About the Creator
Play with Purpose helps parents and caregivers understand the why behind play turning everyday moments into opportunities for communication, connection, and growth.
Designed for all children, the program supports development through meaningful interaction, rich language, and play-based learning, whether a child is typically developing or needs extra support.
Play With Purpose was created by Deborah Modé, a licensed speech-language pathologist with over 25 years of experience and a mother of a son with autism, the program blends professional expertise with real-life experience to support children through meaningful interaction, rich language, and play-based learning.
— Deborah Modé, M.S., CCC-SLP
The 8 Pillars of Development
Every Play With Purpose activity is designed to support one or more of these eight core developmental domains the building blocks of a thriving child.
Social Interaction
Eye contact, shared joy, turn-taking, and the bonds that make learning possible.
Communication &
Language
Sounds, words, gestures, and the back-and-forth that builds language from day one.
Feeding Skills &
Mealtime
Positive mealtime routines, texture exploration, and independence at the table.
Fine Motor & Visual
Motor
Grasping, stacking, scribbling building the hand strength behind independence.
Gross Motor & Body Awareness
Crawling, walking, jumping movement that builds confidence and brain development.
Connection & Social Interaction
Eye contact, shared joy, turn-taking, and the bonds that make learning possible.
Play & Cognitive Development
Cause-and-effect, problem-solving, imagination, and the work of childhood.
Regulation & Sensory Support
Recognizing overwhelm, calming strategies, and smooth transitions through the day.
Built for Every Adult Who Plays With a Child
Every Play With Purpose activity is designed to support one or more of these eight core developmental domains the building blocks of a thriving child.
The Intentional Parent
You want to support your child’s development but aren’t always sure how. You’re looking for practical, evidence-based guidance you can use during everyday play not a rigid curriculum.
The Professional Caregiver
You want to support your child’s development but aren’t always sure how. You’re looking for practical, evidence-based guidance you can use during everyday play not a rigid curriculum.
Any Caring Adult
You want to support your child’s development but aren’t always sure how. You’re looking for practical, evidence-based guidance you can use during everyday play not a rigid curriculum.
Try 2 Free Activities in Every Domain
New to Play With Purpose? Get a taste of the program with 2 free activity cards from each of the 8 developmental domains. No credit card required just real, usable strategies you can try today.
One Year. Everything Included.
This is more than a membership, it’s your opportunity to get consistent support, real guidance, and help build something meaningful from the beginning.
Access to the full Play With Purpose library.
Monthly community meetings on child development.
Video resources on milestones & skills.
Provide insight & feedback to shape the program.
Suggestion box — your voice matters.
One-time annual fee · Cancel anytime
Ready to Play With Purpose?
Start with a free resource, or join the Founding Membership and get access to everything — for less than the cost of a coffee a week.
What to Say During Play?
Not sure what to say when you’re playing with your child? This free guide gives you simple, powerful language prompts you can use right now — during blocks, books, snack time, and more. No prep needed.