Learning through play

"Do not keep children to their studies by compulsion but by play.” - Plato

Play is a powerful activity. When children play, they are actually learning essential skills, exploring what interests them, developing cognitive abilities and at the same time having fun.

According to cognitive learning theory, by engaging students’ visual and auditory senses, and making learning active, they can be encouraged to develop better information recall. This is why playing is so important. Whether it is solving puzzles, making sandcastles, role-playing, telling stories or constructing designs with building blocks — integrating play activities into the curriculum offers immense benefits. It makes students active participants in their learning and helps develop physical, social and intellectual capabilities.

Better adaptation

Play-based learning is even more important during these times, when things are changing fast and new technologies and concepts are emerging rapidly. In an article titled Five essentials of meaningful play, National Association for the Education of Young Children stated that, the impulse to play comes from a natural desire to understand the world. It is important to blend play into the curriculum to make a child a curious and excited learner and adapt better to a dynamic environment.

According to a 2012 study titled ‘Play in children’s development, health and wellbeing’, learning through play enhances the progress of early development from 33% to 67% by increasing adjustment, improving language and reducing social and emotional problems. Various studies also suggest that playing helps the brain develop cognitive abilities and makes us adaptable to ever-changing circumstances.

Incorporating play in the curriculum, hence, prepares students to live and work in a world that is undergoing massive and constant disruption. Play is spontaneous, and so it also provides students with opportunities to hone decision making and resilience, which are vital skills for the future.

Students also learn essential skills such as numeracy, literacy and problem-solving better by playing games and demonstrating their thinking as they describe what they are doing. Transforming classrooms into experiential spaces that utilise well-thought-out play-based, hands-on activities is vital for regular lessons and developing future skills.

This suggests that purposeful play, when integrated with rigorous academics, ensures the holistic development of students. It offers them opportunities to indulge in their inquisitiveness, and to explore, engage and connect with the world we live in.

How can schools integrate play with curriculum?

Current skills may become redundant in the future as new technologies arise. Strengthening cognitive ability, decision-making skills, collaboration and experimentation helps prepare children for learning new concepts that are yet to emerge, and for adapting effectively to evolving circumstances.

Study-play integration has an important role in preparing students for the challenges of a dynamically changing world, and learning is best imparted through interactive classes, sports, games and experiments. For instance, teachers can utilise guessing games and puzzles to teach important concepts.

Scientific processes and mathematical operations can be acted out using objects and hand gestures, so students can ‘see’ what’s going on in the problem. Another example of a role-play activity is Model United Nations, which encourages students to delve into real-world health and socioeconomic issues and find innovative solutions collectively.

Balanced curriculum

The school curriculum should be designed to ensure the right balance of academics, sports and arts. This will help students see connections between what they are learning and real life. The best way to revamp the curriculum to incorporate play is by leveraging technology.

Educational apps and interactive online games allow for full classroom participation and engagement. They are fun and also help reinforce concepts, math, spelling, reading, and phonetic skills. Another way is forging partnerships with educationists, sports coaches and corporate professionals to design curricula that ensure 360-degree development of children.

As renowned author Vince Gowmon puts it, ‘Play is the language of children. Have you spoken it to them lately?’

(The author is vice chairperson of a group of schools and vice president, Early Childhood Association)