Everybody is talking about the Science of Reading – but what about the Science of Play? Why isn’t anybody talking about the transformative and magical powers of play? Play is the the foundation for learning in the preschool classroom. And yet, it feels like there’s less play in early childhood classrooms now than there ever was before.
Watch the Episode
In a recent episode of my podcast, Elevating Early Childhood, I had a great conversation with my friend Amanda Morgan about how things have changed in early childhood education in recent years. Amanda is the author of Not Just Cute: How Powerful Play Drives Development in Early Childhood and a passionate advocate for play-based learning. Together, we explored the Science of Play, what’s shifted — and what we can do about it as professional educators.
What is the Science of Play and Why is it Important?
A 2022 study found that preschool programs before 2000 were twice as effective in preparing kids for later school success than those after 2000. There’s both good news and bad news on this front. We discuss the good (yay!) but we also delve into the not so good news.
What are your thoughts on the good and bad news? Any guesses? I’ll give you a hint about the bad news, it’s a hyphenated word that you’ve probably said many times when referring to preschool curriculum or guidelines. Watch the video to find out exactly what mystery word I’m referring to.
Getting Parents and Administrators on Board with Play-Based Learning
Of course, no discussion about play-based learning would be complete if we didn’t address how to explain the importance of play to administrators or parents. It’s so easy to fall into an “us vs. them” mindset: play vs. academics, development vs. achievement. So what’s a teacher to do?
Here are just a few ways to build that bridge between teachers, parents, and administrators:
- Share books, articles, and research (like Amanda’s book!) that explain the power of play in very easy-to-understand terms.
- Host a parent night where families get to explore and play alongside their children—and witness the learning unfold.
- Use signs in your centers that highlight the skills being developed in each area.
Assume everyone—parents, administrators, and fellow educators—wants what’s best for the kids. Then work together to build a shared understanding of what that looks like in early childhood.
Why the Science of Play Matters in Preschool
Are you ready to hit your head against the wall if you hear, “Don’t they get enough play at home?” one more time, then this section is for you. There’s actually a reason children love to play: it gives them agency. When kids are in charge of how they explore, experiment, and engage with the world, they’re developing independence and confidence. Play gives them space to make choices, ask questions, solve problems, and expand their thinking. It helps reduce anxiety and improve behavior by giving them a healthy sense of control.
Even more amazing? Play is like fertilizer for the brain. When kids play, their brains literally change. Chemicals are released that make learning stick. Social skills blossom. Communication gets stronger. They learn how to work together, think critically, and solve problems—skills they’ll use far beyond preschool.
While direct instruction targets one piece of the puzzle, play nurtures the whole child—emotionally, socially, physically, and yes, academically too.
Watch the full episode for all the information Amanda and I discuss about play, and grab your copy of Amanda’s book on Amazon.
