The misconception that play contradicts learning has grown over the years. However, evidence shows that play is not an opposite to learning; it is learning. Play is one of the most critical occupations that our children engage in from an early age.
Neuroscience research shows that children learn best through playful experiences that feel relevant and meaningful to them.
At Blume Kids Therapy, we prioritize the following types of learning, based on evidence:
Play-based learning: promotes the development of fine motor, gross motor, executive functioning, and sensory processing
Relationship-based learning: promotes the development of emotional regulation
There are five characteristics of play-based learning:
Play-based learning is joyful
Research shows that emotions are critical to building neural networks. In the presence of increased dopamine production (a hormone produced when one feels joy), a child experiences enhanced memory, creativity, sustained attention, mental shifting, and intrinsic motivation to participate in developmental activities.
Play-based learning involves interest and intrinsic motivation
Purposeful learning can only happen when a child is interested in a given activity. How can we tell when an activity is meaningful? The tell-tale sign is when a child connects a new experience to a familiar one. Play-based learning moves away from rote memorization (where there is no guarantee that a child understands what is memorized) to deeper, more meaningful, and lasting learning.
Play-based learning is actively engaging
From a young age, the body is designed to move. Movement allows one to practice and integrate learning to support the development of fine motor, visual motor, gross motor, executive functioning, and sensory processing skills. Play-based learning engages a child’s physical, mental, and verbal capacities.
Play-based learning is iterative
Play and learning are dynamic processes, which means that a child repeats an activity over and over again to improve an outcome. Failure is a natural part of the learning process, which helps a child to build resiliency - a core prerequisite to school readiness.
Play-based learning is socially interactive
Research shows that positive caregiver interactions helps to build the foundations in the brain for developing emotional regulation skills. The development of a strong sense of safety through childhood relationships helps to protect against learning barriers (e.g., stress, trauma).
At Blume, our team is highly trained in the science of play-based learning to promote skill development in crucial goal areas. We ensure that play-based learning at Blume is functional in progressing toward meaningful skill development.
TLDR; What’s the takeaway?
Play is not a “break” from learning; play is learning.
Play helps children to develop critical, lifelong skills.
Play-based movement is a critical component to learning.
Learning through play is backed by neuroscience.
Sources:
Cari Ebert, MS, CCC-SLP: Neuroscience and Play-Based Learning. Toddler Play Conference 2024
Zosh, Jennifer & Hopkins, Emily & Jensen, Hanne & Liu, Claire & Neale, Dave & Hirsh-Pasek, Kathy & Solis, Lynneth & Whitebread, David. (2017). Learning through play: a review of the evidence. 10.13140/RG.2.2.16823.01447.
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