Play is synonymous with learning. The process of learning is built on a child’s natural curiosity and ability to explore. It is during playful exploration that children learn early academic and social-emotional skills. Play is about having autonomy as to where and how learning happens. Early learners benefit from play because it fosters flexible and higher-level thinking, as well as supports communication, which is linked to vocabulary and word structure processes.

Preschool educators curate play-based learning so children can explore academics naturally through a combination of self-guided and guided play, which weaves in early literacy and numeracy skills.