{"id":8199,"date":"2023-12-22T08:55:29","date_gmt":"2023-12-22T16:55:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/?p=8199"},"modified":"2025-11-13T19:00:39","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T03:00:39","slug":"a-parents-guide-to-play-based-learning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/advice\/a-parents-guide-to-play-based-learning\/8199","title":{"rendered":"A Parent\u2019s Guide to Play Based Learning"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Children<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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What is Play-Based Learning: Benefits and Examples<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Discover the benefits of play-based learning and how it encourages children to learn through exploration, imagination, and self-directed activities.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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By Jill Staake<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Table of Contents<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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What is Play-Based Learning?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elements of Play-Based Learning<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of Play-Based Learning<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research Behind Play-Based Learning<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Play-Based Learning Curriculum <\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

There was a time when parents and educators considered \u201cplaying\u201d and \u201clearning\u201d to be opposing activities. But we\u2019ve since discovered that kids actually learn best through<\/em> play. This is especially important at younger ages, but play-based learning is a valuable tool throughout a child\u2019s education. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is Play-Based Learning?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Simply put, play-based learning is exactly what it sounds like: children learning through play, whether on their own or in a guided setting. Kids learn through play from their earliest days, first by exploring their own hands and feet, then reaching out further into the world around them. A child\u2019s mind is like a big sponge, and even infants are constantly experimenting to find out \u201cWhat does this do?\u201d and \u201cWhat happens when I do this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Children<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nearly any kind of play can help children learn, especially when they\u2019re very young. As they grow older, adults can help guide learning through play to tackle various concepts. The key, though, is to allow children freedom to explore in their own way as much as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Play-based learning is all about experimenting and discovering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several levels of play-based learning:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n