WEEK 5 Play Isn’t Just Play – How Children Learn Through Their Own Ideas

“It’s just play.”

We hear this phrase sometimes, but anyone who spends time watching young children closely will know that there is often an enormous amount happening beneath the surface of play.

When children play, they are learning about themselves, other people and the world around them.

A simple example

A child building a tower is not simply “playing with blocks”.

They may be exploring balance, shape, size and spatial awareness.

They may be developing fine motor skills.

They may be solving problems.

They may be communicating with another child.

They may be developing persistence when the tower falls down.

They may be creating a story around what they are building.

And they may be learning that sometimes things don’t work the first time.

Why child-led play matters

When children choose what they want to explore, they are more likely to be deeply engaged.

They can follow their own interests, repeat experiences, make choices and develop their own ideas.

This doesn’t mean that adults aren’t involved.

In fact, the adult has a very important role.

The role of the adult

Sometimes the best thing we can do is simply watch and listen.

What is the child trying to do?

What are they interested in?

What might they be thinking?

Is there an opportunity to introduce a new word?

Could we provide a resource that might help?

Could we join their play and help them develop their idea further?

This is where Sustained Shared Thinking becomes so important.

Rather than taking over, we think together.

Rather than providing the answer, we encourage children to find out.

Rather than directing every moment, we follow their lead.

Because when children have ownership of their play, they also have ownership of their learning.