“Why is my child playing all day?”
It’s a question many parents ask when they visit their child’s classroom. Watching children build, pretend, and explore can leave families wondering when the “real learning” will begin. But here’s the truth: it’s often happening right before their eyes.
While most parents recognize the power of play-based learning, some still see play and learning as separate and prefer direct instruction, according to a recent study on parents’ attitudes toward playful learning.
The reality is that play supports children’s development in five domains: physical, language, social, emotional, and cognitive, according to the study, The Academic Benefits of a Play-Based Pedagogy in Elementary Education. It gives children the chance to explore and master challenging ideas in ways that feel natural and meaningful to them.
At Kaplan, we’ve championed play as a powerful way children learn for over 50 years. Play nurtures the whole child while sparking creativity, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. In this article, we’ll explore the connection between play and learning and how to help parents see it, too.
Parents tend to shift their focus from play to academic performance once children enter elementary school. Sight words and early math skills often take center stage, while play gets pushed aside and treated as a reward. But as Fred Rogers from the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood series once said: “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning.”
Consider learning centers, which are an important part of elementary classrooms. According to The Possibilities of Play: Imaginative Learning Centers for Children Ages 3-6 by Jean Feldman, PhD, and Carolyn Kislos, learning centers capitalize on play as a fun and meaningful way for children to learn. Centers let children explore at their own pace, make choices, solve problems, play with peers, and be creative.
When play is seen as meaningful learning—not just “extra time”—the conversation shifts from why children are playing to what they’re learning through play. As an educator, you're the best person to help families understand how play supports their child's academic growth.
Play is an essential part of elementary classrooms. But it can sometimes raise questions or concerns among parents and caregivers. We understand it can be challenging to explain the value of play in learning. To help, we’ve compiled five common questions parents might ask about play-based learning, plus tips and talking points to help you provide thoughtful responses.
Use this moment to clarify the misconception that play is only free-for-all, unstructured downtime. Take, for example, this recent analysis of loose parts play. Research shows that as children play with loose, open-ended materials—gemstones, small wooden shapes, and natural materials like sticks and leaves—they're making connections that support key cognitive skills, such as problem-solving and reasoning.
These skills lay the groundwork for early learning concepts such as ABCs, early writing, and number sense. They help strengthen the cognitive processes children use to learn, apply, and keep information.
How to respond:
Open-ended play isn’t a break from learning. Play is learning, and it’s a launching pad for developing skills, knowledge, and confidence across a variety of domains.
For example:
In short, play is much more than fun. It’s how children explore, experiment, and build the skills they need to thrive in school and beyond.
Yes, worksheets can support practice and reinforcement in elementary classrooms. But they aren’t the only way children learn new skills—or even the most effective in some cases.
Research by the University of Cambridge shows that guided play is just as effective as traditional instructional methods in developing key literacy, math, social, and executive function skills. In fact, children grasp early math concepts better when they learn through play rather than worksheets or drill exercises.
How to respond:
Worksheets have a rightful place in elementary classrooms. But guided play, which focuses play around specific learning goals, works just as well as traditional instruction. In some cases, it's more effective.
Worksheets and rote learning emphasize memorization and repetition. Guided play encourages creative thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making. These core cognitive processes shape how children build, apply, and retain new learning skills.
Guided play in elementary classrooms may look like:
These activities are often child-led and directed. But educators are there to observe, guide, and even take part in these experiences to support children’s learning.
High-quality instruction and meaningful play don’t have to compete, even in elementary classrooms.
Research from the nationally recognized early childhood experts behind the Connect4Learning Pre-K CurriculumⓇ shows that children explore math, literacy, science, and social-emotional skills during free play. Open-ended play is a natural way for children to explore math while also building their literacy and language skills.
When done well, instruction and play work together to create richer learning experiences for children.
How to respond:
Play offers built-in opportunities for children to learn without even realizing it. When they explore, experiment, and follow their curiosity, they’re naturally practicing math, literacy, science, and even social-emotional skills.
For example:
Play and learning aren’t either-or. They work together to boost children’s confidence and nurture their skills across many areas.
Role play, dress-up, and even doll play are more than mere entertainment. These are chances for children to be creative, build social-emotional skills, and explore language.
According to research by esteemed play scholar and educational psychologist Doris Bergen, Ph.D., pretend play supports children’s cognitive and social development. As they act out roles and scenarios, they practice planning, problem-solving, and language skills to express their ideas.
How to respond:
Pretend play isn’t just play. It’s real-world exploration where children can experiment with new concepts in a risk-free environment. When children play, they’re learning how the world works in ways that make sense to them. At the same time, they’re practicing essential skills such as self-regulation, cooperation, and early literacy—often without even realizing it.
Playing “restaurant,” for example, lets children practice counting money, writing orders, and talking to ‘guests.’ Puppet play boosts language skills, nurtures creativity, and fosters healthy social connections. These moments strengthen problem-solving, social-emotional, and other early learning skills that support later success in school and life.
Children practice and master important skills as they explore, build, and use their imagination. Unfortunately, the connection between play and learning isn’t always clear to parents and caregivers. Use these tips to explain with confidence how play is a powerful tool for learning, growth, and discovery in elementary classrooms.
Looking for more resources on Learning Centers and Play? Discover simple tips, resources, and activities for boosting children’s growth and development through play.