Play-Based Preschool Curriculum - A Solid Foundation for Growth

Key Takeaways

• Play-based curriculum significantly enhances children's cognitive development through hands-on exploration and discovery

• Children in play-based learning environments develop stronger social-emotional skills, setting them up for better long-term academic success

• Research shows that purposeful play builds critical thinking and problem-solving abilities more effectively than traditional didactic teaching methods

• Play-based learning creates positive attitudes toward education by allowing children to follow their natural curiosity

• Brightwheel's research-based curriculum resources help educators implement effective play-based learning environments that prepare children for kindergarten success

When children play, they're not just having fun – they're building the foundation for a lifetime of learning. Play-based curriculum approaches recognize that children learn most effectively when they're actively engaged, following their natural curiosity, and enjoying the learning process. The evidence for play-based learning is compelling, showing benefits across all developmental domains while creating confident, enthusiastic learners.

The traditional image of education often involves children sitting quietly at desks or learning lists of facts, but research consistently demonstrates that young children learn better when they actively engaged and are building connections. Brightwheel's research-based curriculum resources support educators in creating dynamic play environments that nurture development while meeting educational standards. Through carefully designed play opportunities, children develop the cognitive, social, and emotional skills they'll need for school readiness and beyond.

Why Play Is the Ultimate Learning Tool for Preschoolers

Play is the natural language of childhood. When children engage in purposeful play, they're not just passing time – they're actively constructing knowledge about how the world works. Through hands-on exploration, experimentation, and social interaction, children build neural connections that form the architecture for all future learning. This approach aligns perfectly with how the developing brain naturally works.

Unlike traditional teaching methods that position children as passive recipients of information, play-based approaches recognize children as active participants in their own learning journey. When a child builds with blocks, they're not just stacking objects – they're exploring principles of physics, developing spatial awareness, practicing mathematical concepts, and often collaborating with peers. These multi-layered experiences create deeper, more meaningful learning.

Play also allows children to practice skills at their own developmental level, advancing when they're ready rather than when a curriculum dictates. This personalized learning path respects individual differences and creates space for children to develop confidence as they master new challenges at their own pace. For more insights on this approach, explore play-based learning.

The Science Behind Play-Based Learning

The evidence supporting play-based learning comes from decades of research in developmental psychology, neuroscience, and education. When children engage in play, their brains are highly active, forming connections between different regions that strengthen cognitive abilities. These neural pathways become the foundation for more complex thinking and fine-motor skills as children mature.

Studies comparing play-based approaches to more traditional academic preschool programs consistently show that while both may produce short-term academic gains, play-based learning leads to stronger long-term outcomes. Children who learn through play typically demonstrate better executive function, greater creativity, stronger social skills, and more positive attitudes toward learning – advantages that persist well into the elementary school years and beyond.

How Play Rewires Young Brains for Better Learning

Neuroscience research reveals that play activates multiple regions of the brain simultaneously, creating rich neural networks. When a child engages in dramatic play, for instance, they're exercising language centers, emotional regulation, memory, planning, and social understanding all at once. This integrative brain activity is far more powerful than isolated skill practice. The joy and motivation that accompany play also trigger the release of chemicals that enhance memory formation and learning, making play-based experiences more likely to be retained long-term.

Research Evidence: Play vs. Traditional Teaching Methods

Longitudinal studies comparing children from play-based preschool programs with those from academically-focused programs reveal telling differences. By third grade, children from play-based programs typically demonstrate stronger reading comprehension, more advanced problem-solving abilities, and better social adjustment than peers from more didactic programs. While the academic-focused programs might produce earlier reading or math skills, these advantages tend to fade by mid-elementary school. Meanwhile, the deep learning that occurs through play creates a more solid foundation for advanced academic concepts.

"Preschool children do benefit from learning content, but successful programs are those that encourage playful learning in which children are actively engaged in meaningful activities. The most effective early childhood educators understand the developmental needs of young children and know how to create environments where children learn through purposeful play." — Research summary from developmental psychology studies

Key Developmental Areas Enhanced Through Play

Play-based curriculum addresses all developmental domains simultaneously, creating holistic growth. Physical development advances through active play that builds both gross and fine motor skills. Cognitive development flourishes as children experiment, observe cause and effect, categorize objects, and solve problems. Language development expands through rich conversations with peers and teachers during collaborative play. Perhaps most importantly, social-emotional development thrives as children learn to negotiate, share, take turns, understand others' perspectives, and regulate their emotions in authentic social contexts.

5 Critical Benefits of Play-Based Preschool Curriculum

The advantages of play-based learning extend far beyond simple enjoyment, touching every aspect of a child's development. When properly implemented, play-based curriculum creates an environment where children develop foundational skills that prepare them not just for kindergarten, but for lifelong learning success.

Research consistently shows that children in play-based programs develop stronger executive function skills – the ability to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks. These skills have been shown to be stronger predictors of academic success than early reading or math abilities alone, highlighting the power of play in building the brain's control systems.

1. Builds Essential Language and Communication Skills

Play-based learning creates natural opportunities for rich language development that far surpass what's possible in worksheet-based instruction. When children engage in dramatic play, they practice complex language patterns, negotiate roles, describe scenarios, and engage in back-and-forth conversations that build vocabulary and comprehension skills. Teachers in play-based classrooms strategically introduce new vocabulary words within meaningful contexts where children can immediately apply them.

A child's vocabulary significantly improves during the preschool years, and play-based learning allows them to explore new words in organic, relevant, and authentic ways. For example, a classroom grocery store might introduce words like "produce," "cashier," and "receipt" while children naturally practice questions, explanations, and social phrases within their play scenarios. This contextual learning creates stronger neural connections than memorization or flashcard approaches.

2. Develops Social-Emotional Intelligence

Perhaps the most significant advantage of play-based learning is its impact on children's social and emotional development. Through collaborative play experiences, children learn to manage their emotions, understand others' perspectives, share resources, resolve conflicts, and build meaningful relationships. These skills form the foundation for all future learning and social success.

Play scenarios naturally create situations where children must regulate their impulses, wait for turns, adjust their behavior based on others' reactions, and persist through challenges – all critical emotional regulation skills. Teachers in play-based classrooms recognize these moments as valuable learning opportunities, offering gentle guidance and language tools that help children navigate social complexity.

3. Strengthens Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

When children engage in open-ended play, they constantly encounter problems that require creative solutions. Whether figuring out how to build a stable block tower, negotiating character roles in dramatic play, or determining how water flows through tubes in the sensory table, children are developing critical thinking skills that transfer to academic learning. This problem-solving happens organically within play, creating meaningful learning without explicit instruction.

Play-based curriculum intentionally provides materials and scenarios that encourage higher-order thinking. For example, when children experiment with ramps and balls of different sizes, they're developing hypotheses, testing variables, observing results, and drawing conclusions – the scientific method in action. These hands-on experiences create stronger conceptual understanding than simply being told how physics works.

4. Fosters Creativity and Imagination

In today's innovation-driven world, creativity is increasingly recognized as a crucial skill for future success. Play-based learning nurtures children's natural creativity by providing open-ended materials and experiences that can be used in multiple ways. When children transform cardboard boxes into spaceships or develop complex scenarios in the dramatic play area, they're practicing divergent thinking – the ability to generate multiple solutions and possibilities.

This creative mindset extends beyond art activities to influence how children approach mathematics, science, and literacy. A child who has developed flexibility in thinking through play will be better equipped to try different strategies when faced with challenging math problems or to understand multiple perspectives when analyzing stories in later grades.

5. Creates Positive Attitudes Toward Learning

Perhaps most importantly, play-based learning fosters a love of learning that can last a lifetime. When children associate learning with pleasure, curiosity, and personal agency, they develop intrinsic motivation that drives academic success far more effectively than external rewards or pressure. With self-chosen play, children are more invested and engaged in activities because they're driven by their own interests and curiosity.

Children who experience play-based curriculum develop a positive disposition toward learning, approaching new challenges with confidence rather than anxiety. They learn to see themselves as capable problem-solvers who can figure things out through experimentation, collaboration, and persistence – a growth mindset that supports resilience throughout their education.

What Effective Play-Based Learning Looks Like in Action

Effective play-based classrooms strike a thoughtful balance between child-initiated free play and teacher-guided learning experiences. The environment is carefully designed with intention behind every material and learning center. Teachers observe children's interests and developmental needs, then create play opportunities that address specific learning goals while following children's natural curiosity.

Far from being chaotic or unstructured, high-quality play-based programs have clear routines and expectations. The difference lies in how learning is facilitated – through hands-on experiences, meaningful projects, and authentic problem-solving rather than worksheets or rote memorization. Teachers document children's learning through photos, recordings, and careful observation, making the deep learning that happens through play visible to parents and administrators.

Types of Play That Power Development

Different types of play contribute uniquely to children's development, which is why comprehensive play-based programs include a variety of play opportunities. Constructive play with blocks, Legos, or natural materials builds spatial reasoning, mathematical thinking, and engineering concepts. Dramatic or pretend play develops narrative thinking, language skills, and social understanding as children create and enact scenarios.

Sensory play with water, sand, clay or other tactile materials develops scientific thinking through experimentation while simultaneously strengthening fine motor skills. Physical play through outdoor activities, movement games, and active exploration builds gross motor coordination while developing spatial awareness and providing crucial exercise for growing bodies. Music and rhythm play develops phonological awareness – a precursor to reading – while also building mathematical pattern recognition. Learn more about the benefits of play-based learning.

The Teacher's Role in Guided Play

In quality play-based programs, teachers are far from passive observers. They serve as skilled facilitators who know when to step back, allowing children to develop independence, and when to step in with thoughtful questions that extend learning. Effective teachers recognize teachable moments within play scenarios, introducing new vocabulary, mathematical concepts, or scientific principles when children's interest and engagement create fertile ground for new learning.

Teachers in play-based classrooms carefully observe children's play patterns to understand their developmental levels, interests, and potential misconceptions. This observational assessment allows for truly individualized learning as teachers plan experiences that build on each child's current understanding while gently stretching them toward new concepts. Rather than following rigid lesson plans, skilled teachers remain flexible, following children's leads while still ensuring curriculum goals are addressed.

• Asking open-ended questions that stimulate deeper thinking

• Providing new materials that extend ongoing play themes

• Modeling language and problem-solving strategies

• Documenting learning through photos, notes, and children's work samples

• Creating connections between children's play and academic concepts

Perhaps most importantly, teachers in play-based classrooms recognize the value of relationships in early learning. They build warm, responsive connections with each child, creating the emotional safety necessary for risk-taking and exploration. These nurturing relationships become the secure foundation from which children feel confident to explore, experiment, and engage deeply with materials and concepts.

Real Classroom Examples That Work

In effective play-based classrooms, learning unfolds naturally through thoughtfully designed experiences. A study of insects might begin with children discovering caterpillars on the playground, leading to creating habitats, reading stories about metamorphosis, drawing observation journals, and eventually acting out the life cycle through movement. Math concepts develop as children count and sort collected specimens, measure growth, and track changes over time. This integrated approach means learning happens across multiple domains simultaneously, mirroring how the brain naturally makes connections.

The block area becomes a space for engineering principles as children experiment with balance, stability, and structural integrity. Teachers might introduce vocabulary like "foundation," "symmetry," or "architectural elements" while encouraging children to document their structures through drawings or dictated descriptions. Similarly, the dramatic play area transforms throughout the year - from home corner to restaurant, doctor's office to space station - providing context for literacy as children create menus, appointment books, or star maps based on their emerging writing abilities. To understand more about how these activities support development, explore play-based learning strategies.

How to Choose a Quality Play-Based Preschool Program

When evaluating play-based programs, look beyond surface appearances to understand the intentionality behind the curriculum. Quality programs maintain a thoughtful balance where play serves as the primary vehicle for learning, but teachers ensure that important developmental and academic goals are being addressed. The environment should be rich with open-ended materials that can be used in multiple ways, promoting creativity and problem-solving rather than predetermined outcomes.

Key Elements to Look For During School Visits

During classroom observations, notice how teachers interact with children during play periods. Effective educators ask thoughtful questions, introduce new vocabulary naturally, and help children make connections between their play and larger concepts. You should see teachers documenting children's learning through notes, photos, or recordings, demonstrating that they recognize and value the learning happening through play. Children should appear deeply engaged, following their interests while teachers provide gentle guidance and extension.

The physical environment speaks volumes about a program's philosophy. Look for well-organized learning centers with clear purposes: building areas, dramatic play spaces, art studios, science/discovery zones, cozy reading corners, and outdoor exploration areas. Materials should be accessible to children, promoting independence and choice. Documentation of children's learning should be visible through displays of projects, photos of play in progress, and children's own representations of their experiences.

"When observing a quality play-based classroom, you'll notice the purposeful chaos of engaged learning. Children are actively involved, teachers are interacting thoughtfully, and the environment is organized to promote exploration. The room might look 'busy' compared to traditional classrooms with children at desks, but there's intentional learning happening in every corner."

Questions to Ask Program Directors

When interviewing potential schools, ask specific questions about how they balance child-led exploration with ensuring developmental and academic goals are met. Request examples of how they address early literacy, mathematical thinking, and science concepts through play experiences rather than separate academic periods. Inquire about their assessment methods - how do they track children's progress and communicate that learning to families? Quality programs will have clear systems for documenting the rich learning that happens through play.

Also important is understanding how the program approaches social-emotional development. Ask how they help children develop self-regulation, conflict resolution skills, and emotional vocabulary. These foundational skills are essential for kindergarten readiness and are naturally developed through well-facilitated play experiences. Finally, inquire about family involvement and communication - how will you stay informed about your child's learning journey and how can you support the play-based approach at home?

Red Flags That Signal Poor Implementation

Be cautious of programs that claim to be play-based but show little evidence of intentional teaching during play periods. If teachers are primarily supervising rather than engaging thoughtfully with children during play, important learning opportunities are being missed. Similarly, if the daily schedule shows long periods of teacher-directed instruction with minimal time for deep, extended play, the program may not truly embrace play-based philosophy despite its claims.

Watch for environments that lack organization or purpose, where play materials are limited or predominantly consist of commercial toys with predetermined uses rather than open-ended materials. Another red flag is the absence of documentation showing what children are learning through their play. Quality programs make learning visible through documentation panels, project displays, and systematic observation notes that connect play activities to developmental and academic goals.

Creating Play-Based Learning Opportunities at Home

Parents can extend the benefits of play-based learning by creating similar opportunities at home. The good news is that this doesn't require expensive educational toys or elaborate setups. Simple, open-ended materials often spark the most creative play and learning. Cardboard boxes, fabric scraps, natural materials like stones and sticks, household items repurposed for dramatic play - these everyday materials become powerful learning tools when combined with a child's imagination and an attentive adult's engagement.

The most important element parents can provide is time - unstructured time for children to explore, experiment, and engage deeply with materials and ideas. In our busy world, it's tempting to fill children's schedules with activities and classes, but protecting time for self-directed play is crucial for developing creativity, executive function, and problem-solving abilities. This doesn't mean children should be left entirely to their own devices; rather, parents can serve as play partners, observers, and facilitators, much like teachers in quality play-based classrooms.

Finding the Right Balance Between Structured and Free Play

Just as in quality preschool programs, home play environments benefit from a balance between completely free exploration and more guided play experiences. Some play periods might be entirely child-directed, where parents step back and allow children to follow their own interests and create their own scenarios. Other times, parents might introduce new materials, concepts, or challenges within play contexts, gently guiding children toward new learning while still honoring their agency and ideas.

This balance shifts as children develop. Younger preschoolers often benefit from more open-ended, exploratory play with parents nearby for security and occasional engagement. Older preschoolers may enjoy more complex guided play experiences where parents introduce new vocabulary, concepts, or questions that extend thinking. The key is remaining responsive to your individual child's needs, interests, and developmental stage rather than following prescribed activities.

• Provide simple, open-ended materials that can be used in multiple ways

• Allow sufficient time for deep engagement rather than rushing from activity to activity

• Ask thoughtful questions that extend thinking without taking over the play

• Connect play experiences to books, outings, and real-world observations

• Document your child's learning through photos and conversations about their play

Remember that ordinary moments offer extraordinary learning opportunities. Cooking together involves measurement, chemistry, sequencing, and vocabulary. Grocery shopping incorporates categorization, counting, and literacy as you read labels and make lists. Nature walks become science explorations as you observe seasonal changes, animal habitats, and plant growth. By recognizing and enhancing the learning potential in everyday activities, parents create a seamless connection between home and school approaches.

Overcoming Common Concerns About Play-Based Learning

Despite the compelling research supporting play-based approaches, many parents worry that "just playing" won't adequately prepare their children for the academic demands of kindergarten and beyond. This concern often stems from our achievement-oriented culture and the increasing academic pressure that has pushed down into early childhood education. Parents understandably want to give their children every advantage, and the visible products of academic preschools - worksheets, flashcards, and early reading exercises - can seem more tangibly "educational" than the messy, joyful work of play.

"But Will My Child Be Ready for Kindergarten?"

This question reflects a common misconception about what kindergarten readiness actually entails. While basic letter and number recognition are helpful, kindergarten teachers consistently report that social-emotional skills and executive function abilities are far more predictive of school success than academic head starts. Children who can regulate their emotions, follow multi-step directions, persist through challenges, and work cooperatively with peers are best positioned to thrive in kindergarten environments, regardless of whether they entered knowing all their letters or numbers. For more insights on early childhood development, you can explore the power of play in enhancing these skills.

Research consistently shows that children from play-based programs quickly catch up academically to peers from more didactic programs, often surpassing them by third grade. More importantly, they bring stronger problem-solving abilities, greater creativity, and more positive attitudes toward learning - advantages that persist throughout their educational careers. The foundational skills built through quality play experiences create more durable, transferable learning than the rote memorization often emphasized in academic preschools.

Children who have experienced a play-based curriculum typically develop a positive disposition for learning, advanced social-emotional skills, confidence, curiosity, and problem-solving abilities. These crucial foundations actually accelerate later academic learning rather than delaying it, as children approach new challenges with resilience and engagement rather than anxiety about performance.

Traditional Academic Focus	Play-Based Learning Outcomes
Letter and number recognition through worksheets and drilling	Meaningful literacy and numeracy through play contexts (making signs for block structures, counting materials during cooking projects)
Following teacher directions in large group instruction	Developing self-regulation and executive function through child-directed play choices
Limited opportunities for social interaction and problem-solving	Rich social development through negotiation, collaboration, and conflict resolution in play scenarios
Focus on correct answers and performance	Emphasis on process, creativity, and multiple approaches to problems

Many parents are reassured to discover that quality play-based programs don't ignore academics - they simply approach foundational skills through meaningful contexts rather than isolated drills. Literacy develops as children dictate stories about their block structures, create signs for their dramatic play scenarios, or explore environmental print. Mathematical thinking emerges naturally as children sort materials, create patterns, measure ingredients, or solve spatial problems in construction play. The difference lies in how these concepts are introduced - through joyful, contextual experiences rather than abstract exercises.

Addressing Academic Readiness Through Play

Play-based curriculum intentionally builds the precursor skills needed for later academic success. Early literacy develops through language-rich environments where children engage in meaningful conversations, listen to quality literature, dictate stories about their experiences, and explore print in functional contexts. These authentic literacy experiences create stronger neural pathways than flashcard drills or premature pressure to form letters perfectly, laying a solid foundation for reading comprehension and writing fluency.

Similarly, mathematical thinking flourishes in play contexts as children explore spatial relationships in block building, discover patterns while stringing beads, compare quantities during cooking activities, or solve measurement problems in the sandbox. These concrete experiences with mathematical concepts create embodied understanding that later supports abstract mathematical reasoning. When children eventually encounter formal mathematics instruction, they have a rich foundation of conceptual understanding rather than just procedural knowledge.

Making the Most of Your Child's Preschool Years

The preschool years represent a unique developmental window where children's brains are especially receptive to learning through play. Rather than rushing children through this precious period with accelerated academics, wise parents and educators protect this time for the deep, meaningful learning that occurs through quality play experiences. By understanding that play is the most developmentally appropriate vehicle for learning during these years, we can support children's natural curiosity, creativity, and joy in discovery while building the strong foundations needed for later academic success and lifelong learning.

Frequently Asked Questions

As you consider educational approaches for your young child, you likely have many questions about play-based learning. These frequently asked questions address common concerns and misconceptions, helping you make informed decisions about your child's early educational experiences.

Remember that quality matters more than label - some programs may call themselves "play-based" without truly implementing the intentional, well-designed approach described here. Conversely, excellent programs may use different terminology while still embracing the core principles of developmentally appropriate, play-centered learning.

How does play-based learning differ from traditional preschool approaches?

Traditional preschool approaches often emphasize teacher-directed instruction, with children learning through structured lessons, worksheets, and group activities led by the teacher. Play-based learning, by contrast, positions children as active constructors of knowledge who learn through hands-on exploration, problem-solving, and self-directed discovery, with teachers serving as facilitators rather than instructors. While traditional programs might have children practice writing letters on worksheets, play-based programs might invite children to create signs for their block structures or write menus for their pretend restaurant, embedding the same skills within meaningful contexts that motivate engagement.

What age is best to start a play-based preschool program?

Play-based approaches are beneficial at any age, but many children begin preschool programs between ages 2.5 and 4, depending on individual readiness and family circumstances. The play-based philosophy actually aligns perfectly with how toddlers and young preschoolers naturally learn, making earlier entry into quality programs advantageous for many children. However, even children who begin preschool at age 4 or 4.5 benefit tremendously from play-based experiences before kindergarten.

• Children starting around age 2.5-3 typically begin with shorter days and more emphasis on social adjustment and basic routines

• By ages 3-4, children can engage in more complex play scenarios and collaborative projects

• Ages 4-5 represent a prime window for the rich dramatic play, problem-solving, and pre-academic exploration that prepare children for kindergarten

• Even children entering preschool in the year before kindergarten will develop crucial skills through play-based approaches

The right timing depends on your individual child's temperament, social needs, and previous experiences. Some children thrive with earlier entry into group settings, while others benefit from more time in family care before beginning preschool. Quality matters more than timing - a nurturing, responsive play-based program that matches your child's developmental needs is the most important consideration.

Many families find that starting with shorter days or fewer days per week allows for a gentle transition, gradually increasing time in the program as children develop comfort and confidence in the school environment. This flexible approach honors individual differences while still providing the benefits of quality early education experiences.

Can play-based learning work for children with special needs?

Play-based approaches are particularly beneficial for children with special needs, as they allow for naturally differentiated learning experiences that can be adapted to diverse abilities and learning styles. The flexibility inherent in play-based curriculum means that children can engage with materials and concepts at their own developmental level while still participating meaningfully alongside peers. Many early intervention specialists and developmental therapists actually incorporate play-based strategies in their work because they recognize that children with developmental differences, like all children, learn best through engaging, motivating activities rather than drill-and-practice approaches.

How can I tell if my child is actually learning through play?

Learning through play is often less immediately visible than worksheet-based learning, which produces tangible products. However, quality play-based programs make learning visible through documentation - photos with explanatory captions, transcripts of children's conversations, collections of work samples, and narrative descriptions of learning processes. Look for evidence that teachers are intentionally connecting play experiences to developmental and curricular goals, and ask specific questions about what skills your child is developing through their favorite play activities. At home, you can observe your child's growing vocabulary, increasingly complex play scenarios, evolving social skills, and developing ability to solve problems and think creatively - all indicators of the rich learning happening through play.

Do play-based programs prepare children academically for kindergarten?

Quality play-based programs intentionally build the foundational skills needed for kindergarten success, though they approach these skills differently than academic preschools. Rather than isolated drills on letters or numbers, play-based approaches embed these concepts in meaningful contexts where children develop genuine understanding. Research consistently shows that children from play-based programs develop the crucial executive function skills, social-emotional competence, and approaches to learning that strongly predict school success. These children typically transition smoothly to kindergarten with the self-regulation, curiosity, and problem-solving abilities that allow them to engage productively with more structured learning environments.

The academic skills developed through quality play experiences - like phonological awareness, print concepts, numerical understanding, and scientific thinking - create a solid foundation for kindergarten learning. While children from didactic programs might initially display more rote knowledge of letters or numbers, children from play-based programs typically show stronger comprehension, reasoning, and application of concepts, advantages that become increasingly apparent as they progress through elementary school.

For parents concerned about kindergarten readiness, the best approach is open communication with both the preschool and the kindergarten your child will attend. Understanding specific expectations allows you to ensure that your child's play-based experiences are building the necessary foundations while still honoring their developmental needs and protecting the crucial benefits of learning through play.

Play-based learning is a crucial aspect of early childhood education, fostering creativity, social skills, and cognitive development. By engaging in play, children can explore their interests, build problem-solving skills, and develop a love for learning. Educators and parents alike are recognizing the importance of incorporating play into educational settings to enhance child growth. For those interested in understanding more about this educational approach, the article on play-based learning provides valuable insights.