Learning through play

Play is more than just fun. But just how important is it in contributing to children’s learning and wellbeing?
Photo by Michael Morse, CC0, pexels.com,
Michael Morse, CC0, pexels.com

Spotlight

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, every child has a fundamental right to participate freely in play. We might associate learning through play with young children, but play is beneficial at all ages.

Amanda Ruggeri on why play matters and how to bring it into your parenting.

A father pushes his child in a box which they pretend is a car.

When adults and children play, everyone thrives, say Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Roberta Golinkoff.

A family play joyfully with a skipping rope.

Infusing everyday activities with fun supports children’s learning.

Two children helping with the washing. They are playing with washing baskets over their heads and a pile of clean socks in front of them.

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Fotini Vasilopoulos and Lucinda (Lucy) Grummitt / 1 September 2026
A little girl is playing pretend with a toy stethoscope and a toy syringe.
Andrea Paula Goldin, Michelle Dinneen-White, Benjamin Herold / 30 June 2025
A father and his children laugh together.
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