The Ultimate Guide to Play Based Learning in Early Childhood Education

The Ultimate Guide to Play Based Learning in Early Childhood Education

Imagine a classroom where children are building towers, playing at being shopkeepers, or solving puzzles. It would look like they were playing, however, in that natural way, they would have learned something fundamental. 


That's play-based learning - an approach where play and fun meet to nurture children into growing, discovering, and flourishing.


So, let's take a look at what play-based learning is, why it's so effective, and how Mittsure's Lumalearn is making it easier for schools to adopt this amazing way of teaching.

What is Play-Based Learning?

Play-based learning is letting children learn while they play. Instead of making kids sit at desks with books all day, this method encourages hands-on activities, games, and imagination to teach important concepts.


For example, a "store" game teaches them to count money (math), to talk to the customers (communication), and how to work with friends (teamwork). They even do not know they are learning since they are too busy enjoying themselves.


This approach is based on the fact that kids are born natural explorers and experimenters. Thus, they learn much when engaging in experiments, plays, and explorations.

Why Play Supports Kids in Learning Better

Did you know that 85% of a child's brain develops by the age of five? This is precisely why the early years and pre-primary education have been so important to the learning process. When the child plays, it is simultaneously solving problems, exercising creative thinking and learning how to interact socially.


For example:


Tying the shoelaces all by themselves requires patience and balance.


Playing hide-and-seek develops spatial awareness and decision-making.


Drawing or making crafts promotes creativity and fine motor skill.


Play-based learning also helps children to take risks and try new things. 


Their shoelaces don’t fix? They figure out how to tie it again. This time more tightly. 


A game doesn't go right? They learn to adapt. 


These lessons build confidence and resilience which are very important skills for life.

What Makes Play Based Learning Meaningful?

Not all play leads to learning. To really be useful, it needs to have some of the following qualities:


  1. They should have active participation. Kids need to be involved in whatever they are building, solving, or pretending.

  2. Play needs to feel fun and exciting. When kids enjoy themselves, they stay engaged longer.

  3. Kids should get the freedom to explore: Mistakes are okay! Kids learn by trying, failing, and trying again.

  4. They should have enough social interaction. Play with others helps kids learn teamwork, sharing, and empathy.

  5. Activities should create ideas within kids and should allow a space to think beyond a boundary.


As Albert Einstein quotes famously, "Play is the highest form of research." When kids are playing, they are explorers, testers and they learn in their own specific ways.

Role of Teacher in Play Based Learning

The play-based classroom teacher is not a "boss" in the sense that he/she would tell kids what to do but rather a guide or a coach in setting up the activities. Therefore, the actual role of teachers is to encourage creative thinking and exploration of children for new ideas in terms of learning.


The teacher might:

  • Set up a dummy grocery store so he or she could teach children about counting, sorting, as well as communication.

  • Schedule a water play activity to introduce children to basic science concepts, like floating and sinking.

  • Utilize puzzles or games that promote problem-solving and teamwork.

  • Teachers also monitor kids as they play. The teacher steps in and helps them when necessary. 


For example, if the child's block tower continues falling, the teacher will ask, "What do you need to change it so that it does not fall down?" This way, the child thinks critically without any form of pressure.

Types of Play-Based Learning

There are various types of play based learning or we can say it is foundational stage learning that Teachers try to implement when teaching young kids. It mostly depends upon the activity and what a kid is going to learn from it. Some include free play, where on their own, kids may decide what they want to do and give them autonomy as well as creativity with freedom.

Guided Play

Here, teachers create activities where there is a specific learning goal, like a science experiment or a math game.

Imaginative Play

Role-playing as a doctor, chef, or superhero develops language and social skills

Group Play

Playing together can build or solve something is the best way to know teamwork and collaboration

Why Play-Based Learning is Very Effective

According to The National Association for the Education of Young Children, kids who spend time learning in a playful way tend to be stronger problem solvers. It works so well because it comes naturally to them. They don't have to make it fun, it is. This makes them want to learn even more every single day.


Adding foundational stage learning to schools is quite a difficult task, but that is where Mittsure's Lumalearn comes in.


Lumalearn is a platform that will help schools easily add play-based learning to their classrooms. It provides:


Ready-Made Lesson Plans: Teachers get pre-planned activities that are fun and educational.


Interactive Magic Box: These include Books, Cards, Charts, Dominoes, Flash Cards, Guidelines (Manuals), Posters, Puppets, Puzzles, Toys, Games that kids love.


According to EdSurge, a report shows that children who are in pre primary education and play-based learning, remember 80% more than those who have learned traditionally. This is because play keeps their minds active and engaged.


LumaLearn provides books including Phonic Book, English Workbooks & Coursebooks, Books for Rhymes & Balgeet, Hindi & Math Workbooks, Art Book & General Awareness Book. Lumalearn enables schools to blend a mix of traditional teaching techniques with fun, hands-on activities. It is the best of both worlds!


Lumalearn makes it so easy for schools to use this approach that everything a school needs to turn learning into adventure is included. When kids learn with play, they are learning far more than facts. There’s skills, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.

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