Definition: Learning through play describes the process through which children explore ideas, practice skills, solve problems, communicate, create, move, and build understanding through active and meaningful play experiences.
Play may be child-directed, collaboratively developed, or intentionally supported by an educator. NAEYC’s developmentally appropriate practice framework emphasizes active engagement through play, exploration, and inquiry as part of supporting the whole child.
Why Learning Through Play Matters in Childcare
A single play experience can engage multiple developmental domains simultaneously.
Building with blocks, for example, may involve spatial reasoning, fine motor control, language, planning, cooperation, creativity, and persistence.
Example in a Childcare Setting
Children experiment with ramps and toy vehicles. They change the height of the ramps, predict what will happen, compare results, communicate observations, and redesign their structures.
Related Terms
Dramatic play, cooperative play, cognitive development, problem-solving, child-centered learning, and early childhood development.
« Back to Glossary Index