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 ...

Early childhood education is increasingly embracing play-based, research-backed approaches that blend joyful exploration with foundational academic skills. California’s proposed clarification for ...

THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. — The Tumwater School District has implemented mandatory play-based learning across all kindergarten classrooms, requiring one hour of daily free play while maintaining ...

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 ...

When Krystyna Kalishevskyi emigrated from Ukraine with her family last year, she had experienced more trauma and fear than a 4-year-old can cope with. Going to school in California was a big challenge ...

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 ...

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.

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 ...