Understanding Play-Based Learning: Why “Just Playing” is Powerful Learning
Early in the school year, many families ask a question we hear often: “When will my child start learning?” For some, the word “school” brings to mind rows of desks, worksheets, and teachers standing at the front of the room. It can feel surprising to walk into a preschool classroom and see children building with blocks, pretending to run a grocery store, or painting at an easel.
But here’s the truth: play is not separate from learning. For young children, play is the work of childhood.
What Is Play-Based Learning?
Play-based learning means children are learning through exploration, imagination, and interaction. Teachers design environments and activities that are open-ended, engaging, and tied to important developmental skills. Children follow their curiosity, while educators gently guide, introduce new ideas, and connect play to learning goals.
And here’s something important: when a child shows interest in something more traditionally “academic”, such as writing their name, recognizing sight words, or counting well beyond their age, teachers celebrate this and build on it. We always follow the child’s lead, making sure that each child feels both challenged and supported.
A Look at Our Daily Curriculum
At ABC Head Start Society, our classrooms are intentionally structured to bring play-based learning to life. Both Discovery (older preschoolers) and Explorer (younger preschoolers) classrooms follow a daily rhythm that balances routine with curiosity:
Circle Time: Reading themed books, exploring letters and numbers, practicing calendar and weather routines, and expanding vocabulary.
Physical Education & Wellness: Gross motor play like climbing, running, and cooperative games that build strength, coordination, and teamwork.
Creative Expression: Painting, building, dramatic play, music, and movement—all opportunities to practice imagination, patterning, and fine motor skills.
Snack & Social Time: Opportunities for independence (self-care, cleaning up) and practicing peer interactions.
Learning Centers: Small group play that includes science, dramatic play and cooperative games.
This daily rhythm gives children consistency while still allowing plenty of freedom to explore. Teachers weave in literacy, numeracy, and science concepts in ways that feel natural and exciting for little learners.
Tips for Bringing Play-Based Learning Home
You don’t need special materials or a classroom to support your child’s learning through play. Here are a few simple ways to extend these ideas at home:
Build with What You Have: Blocks, cardboard boxes, or even empty containers can become towers, houses, or castles. Ask your child, “What do you think will happen if we make it taller?” to spark problem-solving.
Turn Pretend Play Into Learning: Set up a “store” or “restaurant” using household items. Let your child write menus, count play money, or take your order. This weaves in literacy and math in a natural way.
Make Everyday Moments Count: Cooking dinner? Invite your child to measure ingredients, stir batter, or sort vegetables by colour. Folding laundry? Have them match socks or count how many shirts are in the pile.
Tell Stories Everywhere: Encourage your child to narrate what their toys are doing, make up endings to stories you read, or describe what they see on a walk. This builds vocabulary and imagination.
Celebrate Small Responsibilities: Let them zip their own coat, pack a snack, or put toys away. These small moments of independence are powerful for confidence and self-regulation.
Following the Child’s Lead
The heart of play-based learning is that it adapts to the child, not the other way around. For some children, this might mean lots of imaginative play. For others, it may look like sorting objects, drawing letters, or reading at an early age. Our role as educators—and yours as parents—is to notice where their spark lies and nurture it.
When you see your child “just playing,” remember: they are building skills for a lifetime. They are learning how to think, create, and problem-solve—skills that will support them long after the preschool years.
Try These Play Prompts at Home
Simple questions and phrases you can use to extend your child’s play and spark deeper learning:
“What do you think will happen if…?” (Encourages problem-solving)
“Can you tell me a story about what’s happening?” (Builds language and imagination)
“How many ___ do you see?” (Introduces early math and counting)
“I wonder what would happen if we added/changed ___?” (Promotes curiosity and experimentation)
“Show me how you did that!” (Boosts confidence and independence)
Pro Tip: You don’t need to guide every moment of play. Ask a question, then step back and let your child lead—you’ll be amazed at what they come up with!