Ask yourself: If you could take a day off from your role and play all day, what activities would come to mind? Would you build forts out of couch cushions? Run outside barefoot, playing tag until the streetlights came on? Maybe you spent hours lost in imaginary worlds with dolls, action figures, or made-up adventures with friends.

Now, think about your child. What kind of play do they enjoy? Do you join in, or do you watch from the sidelines? Play isn’t just a way to pass the time—it’s the foundation of learning, creativity, and social growth. When children play, they are doing the important work of making sense of the world.

Play as Meaningful Work

In the Early Childhood Education setting, pre-K kids in our classroom have an hour of “work time.” Yes, “work time,” because essentially, they are working through their play. For example, when my students ask to go to dramatic play, they are working in the doctor’s office, drawing from all the times they’ve visited a doctor’s office and practicing what they have seen.

Research supports the idea that play is far more than just fun—it is essential for development. As Fred Rogers once said, “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” When children engage in imaginative and hands-on activities, they are building critical thinking skills, learning to navigate social interactions, and making sense of the world around them.

We also have Networking certain parts of the classroom are open for students to explore. During this time, Pre-K students are actively networking with one another in different areas such as the Library, I-Pads, and Tabletop Toys. Networking Time allows children to build relationships, practice communication, and strengthen their social connections. Whether they are sharing a book, collaborating on an educational app, or problem-solving while playing a game, they are developing essential interpersonal skills that will help them in their future learning experiences.

Developing Essential Skills Through Play

I see our Portrait of a Graduate (POG) skills being put to use. POG is an educational framework used in my school to help students develop essential life skills. These skills include being Goal-Oriented and Resilient, Creative and Critical Thinkers, Ethical and Global Citizens, Collaborators, and Communicators. All these skills involve communicating, sharing, problem-solving, being patient, and being kind to one another.

The Science Behind Playful Learning

Our classroom is set strategically for maximum play—or “work,” as we call it. Research supports the importance of play in early childhood development. According to Zosh et al. (2022), “playful learning leverages the power of active, minds-on, engaging, meaningful, social, interactive, and iterative thinking and learning”. Play enhances cognitive and social development, allowing children to explore, experiment, and refine essential skills in a natural and engaging way.

I see this every day in my PreK classroom. When a group of children gathers around the block area, they aren’t just stacking wooden pieces—they are engineering, problem-solving, and learning about balance and gravity. When they work together to build a tall structure, they discuss their ideas, negotiate roles, and test different solutions when their tower wobbles. They are developing spatial awareness, collaboration, and persistence—all critical skills that go beyond the classroom.

In our dramatic play area, children step into different roles, whether it’s being a chef in a restaurant, a veterinarian taking care of pets, or a parent rocking a baby doll to sleep. These moments help them process the world around them and build emotional intelligence. They learn empathy by caring for others, communication skills by expressing their ideas, and self-regulation when taking turns or navigating disagreements.

At the Math Center, playdough becomes a tool for hands-on learning. Children roll, shape, and count playdough pieces as they work on early math concepts like one-to-one correspondence, patterns, and number recognition. This sensory experience not only strengthens their fine motor skills for future writing but also deepens their understanding of mathematical relationships in an engaging way.

What may look like “just play” to some is actually a powerful, research-supported method of learning. Play is the way young children make sense of the world, test ideas, and build foundational skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

How You Can Support Play At Home

As parents, you play a vital role in fostering meaningful play experiences for your child. Play doesn’t have to be elaborate or require special toys—your engagement is what matters most! Simple activities like drawing together, building with Legos, or creating an imaginary world with stuffed animals can spark creativity and problem-solving skills. Even a game of “I Spy” or playing with household items like pots and pans can turn into a fun learning experience.

Encourage open-ended play by asking thoughtful questions such as “What are you making?” or “How do you think we can build this taller?” Join in their play and let them take the lead—this strengthens their confidence and helps them develop communication skills.

📌 Stay Connected! Follow @theprekpathcoach on Instagram for updated pictures and videos of Pre-K life, tips, and insights into your child’s learning journey. Also, be sure to check out my first blog, Midyear Pre-K Progress: What Parents Should Know, for even more ways to support your little learner!

Conclusion: Play is Their Work- Support It

As I watch my pre-K students huddled around the Magnatiles, communicating, collaborating, and problem-solving to make their structure taller without toppling over, I see firsthand that play isn’t just play—it’s essential work. Through play, children develop problem-solving skills, creativity, and social-emotional growth that will serve them for life.

Your child’s play is shaping their future—how will you nurture it today?

Reference:

Rogers, F. (n.d.). Play is the work of childhood. Retrieved from https://www.fredrogers.org
Zosh, J. M., Gaudreau, C., Golinkoff, R. M., & Hirsh-Pasek, K. (2022). The power of playful learning in the early childhood setting. Young Children, Summer 2022.