The Importance of Play to Learning

Children connect with their world in so many ways through the act of "play." However, with what could be described as almost a mania, play is being systematically squeezed out of our schools in the name of academic economy; time on core academic tasks. One cannot help but instinctively complete the phrase when they hear school leaders and staff use the word rigor in conjunction with student learning. The rigor we generally hear used in such conversations would more appropriate if referred to as "rigor mortis." We effectively kill the motivation of students to want to engage in activities and learn new information and skills.

 

Educator Harry Niezen, in an article titled The Freedom of Learning by Play featuring motivational Kevin Carroll written by Tanya Roscori, states, "We're so dependent as educators on our checklists, formulas and planning binders that we don't always allow students to explore something they're passionate about," he said. "We need to throw out the planners and allow students to learn by playing. Students will learn so much more when they have the freedom to explore and play," he said.

"Be more creative, be more innovative and embrace the idea that as a teacher, you're just one more learner in the classroom," Niezen said, "and you can learn together, you can play together and grow together."