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Understanding the Power of Play in Early Childhood Learning
Understanding the Power of Play in Early Childhood Learning
Play is how young children learn best.
Research shows that play and learning go hand in hand. When children play, they are actively exploring ideas, asking questions, and making sense of their world. These playful experiences are the foundation for strong academic, social, and emotional growth.
Why Play Matters
Why Play Matters
It builds lifelong learning skills. Through play, children develop curiosity, persistence, and focus—skills linked to later success in reading, math, and problem solving.
It grows language and thinking. Storytelling, building, and imaginative play help children develop vocabulary, reasoning, and early math and science understanding.
It supports relationships and confidence. Play encourages cooperation, empathy, and communication, helping children feel capable and connected.
It boosts emotional well-being. Children use play to express ideas, manage feelings, and work through challenges in safe and healthy ways.
Common Myths About Play (and the Truth)
Common Myths About Play (and the Truth)
Myth 1: “When children play, they aren’t learning.”
Myth 1: “When children play, they aren’t learning.”
Truth: Play is learning. Research shows that children who play develop stronger skills across every area—language, math, science, creativity, and social-emotional growth.
Truth: Play is learning. Research shows that children who play develop stronger skills across every area—language, math, science, creativity, and social-emotional growth.
Myth 2: “If children are playing, teachers aren’t teaching.”
Myth 2: “If children are playing, teachers aren’t teaching.”
Truth: Teachers guide, question, and extend learning through play. They are always observing and intentionally connecting play to learning goals.
Truth: Teachers guide, question, and extend learning through play. They are always observing and intentionally connecting play to learning goals.
Myth 3: “Children who are ‘behind’ don’t have time for play.”
Myth 3: “Children who are ‘behind’ don’t have time for play.”
Truth: Play helps children catch up. It gives every child meaningful opportunities to practice language, problem-solving, and communication in ways that feel joyful and natural.
Truth: Play helps children catch up. It gives every child meaningful opportunities to practice language, problem-solving, and communication in ways that feel joyful and natural.
Myth 4: “Play is only for preschoolers.”
Myth 4: “Play is only for preschoolers.”
Truth: Play continues to support learning and creativity throughout the early grades. It builds flexible thinking, curiosity, and resilience—skills children need for lifelong success.
Truth: Play continues to support learning and creativity throughout the early grades. It builds flexible thinking, curiosity, and resilience—skills children need for lifelong success.
What Research Tells Us
What Research Tells Us
Studies show that children who learn through play-based experiences in early childhood are more successful later in school. They demonstrate stronger language, math, and problem-solving skills, better self-control, and greater motivation to learn. Play helps build the brain pathways that make academic learning possible.
How Play-Based Learning Works
How Play-Based Learning Works
Throughout the day, teachers use a mix of:
Free play where children choose and direct their own activities,
Guided play where teachers gently shape play around learning goals, and
Games that encourage collaboration, counting, and reasoning.
This balanced approach connects joy and purpose in learning. When children are engaged, curious, and having fun, they learn more deeply and remember more over time.
The Takeaway
The Takeaway
Play is not a break from learning, it is the most powerful way young children learn. The skills they develop through play in TK form the strong, flexible foundation they will build on in kindergarten and beyond.
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References
The Power of Playful Learning (NAEYC)
https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/summer2022/power-playful-learning
Powerful Role of Play in Early Education (CDE)
https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/re/documents/powerfulroleofplay.pdf
Other Resources
Supporting Child at Home (Pyramid Model)
Access All PTKLFs here
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