When people think about learning environments, they picture children at desks, teachers lecturing and student completing worksheets. However, for smaller children, learning usually does not happen in the classroom. It’s been proven that play based-learning is the most effective approach for children up until the age 6 years old.
The Study
A recent report by the LEGO Foundation reviewed 26 studies of play from 18 different countries. The types of play included games, open play in which children are allowed to freely explore and use their imaginations, and arts and crafts with teachers providing materials.
The Results
This report found that in underprivileged communities children showed significantly higher learning gains in motor, literacy, and social-emotional development when attending schools that used a mixture of instruction and free play. This is compared to schools with less opportunities to play, with child-led activities in particular. These findings confirm years of research on the physical, emotional, and cognitive benefits of play based learning.
The Implications
The reason why these reports are important is because they demonstrate that, contrary to popular belief, learning can still happen in places that lack resources. “Play can exist everywhere,” said Bo Stjerne Thomsen, who is the chair of Learning Through Play at the LEGO Foundation. “It’s the experience. Testing and trying out new ideas…It’s really about the state of mind you’re in while playing.”
Because all children enjoy playing, even when resources are scarce, the authors of the study recommend that play-based learning is used to “tackle inequality and improve the outcomes of children from different socio-economic groups.”
While the appropriate amount of play has yet to be determined, it is still extremely important to train teachers to facilitate free play and guided play opportunities. Sadly, here in America, free play has not been made a priority in out education system. Access to play spaces are basically nonexistent in many lower socio-economic and rural communities. During the pandemic, this problem continued to grow since free play is essential to helping children process their feelings through disruptions and trauma.
Thankfully, there have been more recently, city wide initiatives to provide children with a place to play. This important work has been done to ensure that kids have access to safe, outdoor spaces, even in high-density or rural areas. Play places such as Nest, Kith + Kin, PlayArts, Kids at Play and Beehive at Bok.
What Can We Do To Help with Play Learning
Sometimes children just need a change of scenery, and to have fun while learning. We can use our resources to find new activities, indoor and outdoor location to provide children with new experiences. You can always check out your local libraries and community playgrounds for the programs available. It is important to give out children to learn and have fun even when it is not readily available in our school or our neighborhood. Philadelphia Family Voices can keep you up to date on many child activities and programs around the city.