The Truth About Play-Based Learning: What It Is, What It Isn’t, and Why It Matters
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Welcome to a new episode of Eyes On Us, where Emma and Sophie unpack the real issues shaping Early Years education in the UAE.
This week, they explore a topic that is both widely celebrated and widely misunderstood: play-based learning, what it actually looks like, why it is powerful, and why it is far more than just play.
Play Is Learning — Not the Break Between Lessons
One of the biggest misconceptions Emma and Sophie address is the idea that play is something children do after learning, rather than how they learn. Many people still view play as downtime, a way to keep children busy, or something that requires little planning or practitioner input.
But in reality, play is where children develop essential skills: exploration, problem-solving, experimentation, language, independence, resilience, social understanding and more.
Play is not the absence of learning.
Play is the learning.
Effective Play Requires Intentional Planning
Another misconception is that play-based learning means letting children play without adult involvement. Emma and Sophie explain that while play is child-led, the environment, resources, and opportunities are carefully designed by practitioners.
Adults make thoughtful decisions about:
which materials to offer
how the learning environment is organised
how accessible and inviting resources are
how adult-led teaching connects to child-initiated exploration
The purpose is not to control the play but to create an environment rich enough that children can lead their learning in meaningful ways.
Play Builds Independence, Confidence and Capability
When educators step back and allow children to make choices, they communicate something powerful: children are capable, children can take the lead, and their ideas matter.
In the episode, Emma and Sophie highlight how these opportunities support independence, language development, social and emotional growth, and a sense of ownership over learning.
Children engage more deeply when play aligns with their interests, and this engagement drives concentration, motivation, and resilience.
Play Develops the Skills That Learning Depends On
They discuss several core developmental skills that emerge naturally through play:
Concentration
Children practice sustained attention when they choose activities that genuinely interest them.
Motivation
They keep going through challenges, like rebuilding a collapsed tower, building intrinsic motivation.
Resilience
Through trial and error, they learn that mistakes are part of the process and that they can try again.
These skills are not extras. They are central to the learning process.
Play Is Also Where Assessment Truly Happens
Far from giving practitioners a break, play provides the richest assessment opportunities. During play, children show their true understanding, apply knowledge spontaneously, and reveal strengths or areas for support that adult-led tasks might not show.
Play also deepens relationships. It gives educators insight into who a child truly is, what they are curious about, and how they approach learning.
Final Thoughts
Play-based learning is not a gap between teaching. It is a powerful, intentional, and developmentally appropriate approach that allows children to learn authentically and joyfully.
If we want to understand children’s learning, we need to understand their play.
Explore our upcoming CPD courses to continue developing strong, evidence-informed pedagogy within your setting.