Our Story
Our mission is to provide ideas and activities to help families connect through play. Our hopes are to change lives – one PLAY at a time! Our message is that children are worthy of being listened to, that children are competent and capable, that children learn best through play, and that children are our best teachers. Our philosophy is that play is a perfect opportunity to connect with our children and strengthen the parent/child relationship. Our beliefs are that empathy, respect, and trust are the basis for all human relationships. We hope you embrace the mess, embrace the challenges, embrace “yes”, and embrace childhood. Take what you love, and leave the rest.
~ Ashley Kagan, Founder and Co-owner of Play at Home Mom, LLC
Ashley Kagan, Med MECD is the founder and co-owner of PLAY AT HOME MOM LLC. Ashley holds a double Masters Degree in Exceptional Student Education and Early Childhood Development. She has over 20 years of experience working with children and families as an educator and parent coach. Ashley was a teacher for 11 years prior to staying home with her son – 8 years teaching children with autism and other exceptionalitites in public school, and 3 years teaching pre-k in a Reggio preschool. Ashley is also a writer/contributor at “Parenting Beyond Punishment”, a web site dedicated to supporting families in their journey to guide their children in gentle, loving ways.
Ashley lives with her husband and son in North Carolina, where she has returned to teaching and continues to support/coach parents with local, monthly parent community forums.
Rosie Lamphere, is co-owner at PLAY AT HOME MOM, LLC. Rosie holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts with disciplines in Social Work and Sociology with a minor is Business. She has her Montessori Certification for children ages 2-6. Rosie is a Play At Home Mom of 3 daughters ages 6-9.
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Latest Posts

Teacher Confession: I Was Wrong
“Children don’t just need to be loved; they need to know that nothing they do will change the fact that they’re loved.” ― Alfie Kohn, The Myth of the Spoiled Child I’ll never forget those days before [...]
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AGE 9 – TOY LIST
Our oldest children have all turned 9, but these toys can be for so many ages. Many of them make good stocking stuffers, too. YOU CAN CLICK ON THE NAME OF THE ITEM TO ACCESS THE AFFILIATE LINK. THANK YOU! [...]
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Face Painting
YES, YOU MAY RUN ERRANDS WITH ME HAVING A “BEARD LIKE DADDY” Children have a blast painting or drawing on themselves. They are masters of the moment and love the way it feels to smear paint or marker all over [...]
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RIGAMAJIG – Review and Giveaway
Rigamajig was developed in 2011 by Cas Holman for Friends of the High Line in collaboration with early learning educators, woodworkers, and children. It was launched in New York City’s High Line Park as the High Line Children’s Workyard Kit and [...]
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Bottle Cap Art
It’s interesting to notice that when paint is readily available to children, it eventually seems to lose it’s allure. In our classroom the children go days without touching the paint. We like to offer new and different mediums for [...]