What is play-based learning?

Play-based learning is a powerful approach that has gained significant recognition in early education programs. Instead of relying solely on traditional teaching methods, play-based learning embraces the innate curiosity and creativity of children to foster their development.

By engaging in purposeful play, children not only acquire essential academic skills but also develop crucial social, emotional, and cognitive abilities. In this article, we explore the numerous benefits of play-based learning in early education programs and understand how it lays a solid foundation for lifelong learning.

5 key elements of play-based learning 

For children to benefit from a play-based curriculum, it’s important that educators incorporate all the elements of play-based learning. They include:

1. Self-chosen/self-directed 

With play-based learning, a child must determine how to play, when, and for how long. Although there is no definitive guide on a child’s preference, you’ll know it when you see it. Educators can suggest some games, but it should be up to the child if they want to take that direction or not. 

Children find the smallest detail fascinating, and it’s important to let them explore even when it may seem insignificant. 

2. Enjoyable

Children have to enjoy their activities for play-based learning to work. Therefore, there should be no objectives or end goals for any exercise. For example, instead of offering blocks to children and instructing them to build something specific, just give them the blocks and watch what they do with them.

3. Unstructured

Unstructured, or free play, is probably the most crucial element of play-based learning. Unstructured means letting the child play and explore items with no objective. This type of play allows children to learn their interests and dislikes without any external influence. It also allows them to make mistakes and learn from them without the fear of failure.

4. Process oriented 

Again, avoid giving children the procedure they need to mold their clay or arrange their play. The process is part of the journey, allowing children to express their creativity in depth without being concerned about a final product. 

5. Imaginative

Pretend play is an important part of a child’s learning experience as it allows them to use their imagination and creativity. Playing pretend and role playing also helps in nurturing children’s empathy and developing their social-emotional skills.

What are the benefits of play-based learning?

Play-based learning has numerous benefits for children’s development.

Promotes language development 

A child’s vocabulary significantly improves during the preschool years. Play-based learning allows children to explore new vocabulary words in an organic, relevant, and authentic way. 

Play-based learning also allows children to engage in different forms of playful and reciprocal conversations. For example, when children are engaged in pretend play, one child may take on the role of the doctor and the other as the patient. Both children may take a turn asking a question or sharing information relevant to their roles.  

Educators can support children’s language development by introducing new words, participating in games, encouraging conversations, and asking questions. 

Fosters creativity and imagination

Fostering imagination and creativity in young children have endless benefits for their social-emotional and cognitive development. When a child engages in play, they have the opportunity to explore and develop their problem-solving and interpersonal skills.  

Play sparks and develops creativity and imagination. Pretend play typically emerges when a child is about two years old. You might observe them feeding a doll or rocking them to sleep. Later stages of pretend play become more complex with different settings, roles, props, and achieving a common goal with a peer. 

Develops social-emotional skills 

Play-based learning has a significant impact on a child’s social and emotional development. They learn how to manage and deal with their emotions and the emotions of others. 

Children also learn to communicate their needs with their peers and other essential skills like turn-taking and conflict resolution when playing. As they play, they are figuring out how to patiently wait for their turn to access an area or work with a material, negotiate, cooperate, and solve problems with their peers. All these are indispensable social skills. 

Creates a positive disposition toward learning 

There are so many ways play-based learning can improve a child’s attitude toward learning. With self-chosen play, children are more invested and engaged in activities because they’re driven by their own interests and curiosity.

Giving children autonomy during play is not only fulfilling, but also allows children to confidently explore challenges, make goals, take appropriate risks, and learn to be persistent.   

Improves motor skills 

Play also enhances a child’s motor skills. For example, activities such as painting, drawing, and building boost fine motor skills, while jumping, throwing, climbing, and running boost gross motor skills. 

Enhance your program quality and incorporate more play into your children’s learning with a system like brightwheel’s Experience Curriculum. This complete curriculum system integrates 35 research-based skills into playful games and discovery projects. You can easily match the lessons in the app to the hands-on learning materials in the monthly curriculum kits, saving you time while supporting your children’s development.

Work Cited“What is Play-Based Learning?” Brightwheel, 18 July 2024, https://mybrightwheel.com/blog/what-is-play-based-learning. Accessed 8 January 2025