Play-based learning isn't just fun—it's a powerful, research-backed approach that nurtures curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in children. By blending intentional teaching with joyful ...

A third grade student sets the last domino down in a row along the edge of a table while playing in Crystal O’Brien’s classroom at Shidler Elementary School in Oklahoma City. Credit: Ariel ...

Teaching younger children through 'guided' play supports key aspects of their learning and development at least as well - and sometimes better - than the traditional direct instruction they usually ...

April 30, 2026 - Students at college campuses across California recover hundreds of pounds of unserved food from dining halls to serve to their hungry classmates. When Krystyna Kalishevskyi emigrated ...

The transition from preschool to school is a big deal for many children and parents. Over the next few weeks, many preschoolers will take part in a transition program, designed by their teachers, to ...

Parents visiting their children’s kindergarten class for the first time may think they’ve arrived at the wrong room, especially if they expect it to resemble the kindergarten they attended as ...

As a play researcher, I applaud the state legislature for mandating play-based learning in preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school classrooms. Play has a powerful effect on development and ...

Across the U.S., educators and advocates are spotlighting play-based learning as a key driver of social and academic readiness, even as national reports reveal gaps in preschool quality and access.