We know play is making a comeback and now a Seattle-based group has created a series of guides, PlayBright, to help parents and teachers use it to help children learn and grow.

Based on hundreds of research studies, PlayBright relies on a series of books and a set of early learning principles. But, the curriculum’s core belief is that play is the way.

“Research has shown that the first five years of a child’s life are the most important in brain development, and that the best way young children learn is through play,” PlayBright, the brainchild of Seattle-based Children’s Home Society of Washington, said in a statement announcing its launch last month. “When kids play, they develop new intellectual, motor, and social skills; learn language and problem-solving skills; explore how the world works; and form strong bonds to their favorite playmates: family and caregivers.”

Instead of letting your kids run all of their playtime, sometimes play needs to be directed and these books offer games, exercises and tips to help parents and educators make play work. (You can preview the books here.)  PlayBright even recommends a long list of toys for your baby, toddler and preschooler, and I didn’t see Baby Einstein or other videos anywhere on the list.

The PlayBright curriculum arrives at an excellent time, with the power of play grabbing parenting headlines and classroom time. This week, for example, play is the topic of Thrive by Five of Washington’s Learning for Life series.

Plus , the $39.95 you spend for the guides supports a great organization, the Children’s Home Society of Washington, a statewide non-profit that  provides 40,000 Washington children and families support every year with early learning, adoption, out-of-home care, family support, and child and family counseling services.