The relationship between learning through play and holistic skills

Learning through play helps children develop the skills they need to thrive. And we’ve got an ever-growing body of evidence to illustrate it. Take a look.

We’ve always believed in the power of play

We’ve seen it for ourselves. When children play, they have fun, they experiment, and they don’t worry about getting things wrong. Play gives children the safe space they need to pick up skills that’ll help them thrive today and as they grow up. 

That’s what we think, but what does the science say?

Find out what the science says about play and learning

Play helps children hone holistic skills for a holistic world

Every day we rely on all kinds of skills without even thinking about them. From working out how to get from A to B, to quick mental maths, to simply chatting with friends, colleagues and loved ones. Almost everything we do uses more than one skill at once.

It’s the same for children. Take a toddler learning to walk. As well as the physical strength of using their muscles in a new way, they need cognitive skills to co-ordinate their arms and legs, and depth perception to navigate the path ahead. They’re managing lots of emotions too – excitement at trying something new, mixed with fear of the unknown or perhaps of letting go of a parent’s hand. We call these skills holistic as children weave all of them together to learn as they play.

There are five skills children hone when they play

Over 300 different studies have found a positive link between learning through play and developing those five interconnected skills.

Find out more about the 5 skills

Our recent report digs deep into the findings. Download it here.

So, what’s next?

There’s still so much we’d love to study. For example, we’d love to learn more about the part grown-ups play. So far, it looks like adults who guide children’s play, without controlling every move, help their children pick up those holistic skills even faster.

We’d also love to see:

  • more practical studies
  • work with older children (the majority of studies focus on 3–5-year-olds)
  • larger sample sizes (most are very small)
  • studies into more skills (cognitive skills like numeracy get the most attention)
  • work with children from more varied backgrounds and cultures

And, of course, play isn’t static – and it’s changed a lot since we first started studying it. How do computer and mobile phone games compare, for example? We are excited to see what comes out of this new and growing research area.

Evidence helps us make the case for learning through play all over the world. The more we can do to keep our data up-to-date, the stronger that case will be. We know learning through play works. Let’s keep showing it!

Dive into our latest news, research, blogs and project stories

October 2022 Evidence
Five ways to spot playful learning
How can you tell if a child is playfully learning and picking up essential skills? Our research says you’ll know it when you see it. Discover the five characteristics of learning through play here.
October 2022 Opinion
Holistic learning goes beyond the surface
Because playful learning connects different skills and characteristics at once, it helps children apply things they learn in different scenarios.
March 2022 Opinion
Play more, worry less: 3 ways play boosts resilience
March 2022 Evidence
Why social and emotional learning is top of the class
October 2021 Opinion
Closing the skills gap
October 2021 Opinion
Play prepares children for the future. Any future.
September 2021 Projects
Learning through play on Takalani Sesame

Explore more research

Engaging young children in play
Children get more out of play when they take the lead. But the science shows us adults can – and should – join in. Here’s why
In the classroom, At home
Learning through play: what the science says
Do you know that play builds brains? We look at research that shows how playful learning experiences lay the foundations for brain development and develops 21st century skills
In the classroom, At home, Future skills
Closing the skills gap
Education systems need to keep up with the world’s rate of change to close our widening skills gap. Here’s what they can do
Future skills
How can reading be more playful?
Play is a powerful tool for children's language development. Here's why playful reading is so important.
In the classroom, Future skills
Positive play in a digital age
Children spend more time online than ever – so it is vitally important that digital platforms are a safe space to explore and learn through play. Here’s how organisations are steering industry and governments to put children’s wellbeing first.
Technology, Wellbeing
Why creativity matters and how play nurtures creative minds
Creativity is instinctive in children – and just as essential in adults. Here’s an introduction to what we know so far about why and how we should make space for children to hone creative skills.
In the classroom, At home, Future skills, Systems reform
Rebuilding systems around social and emotional learning
Social and emotional learning is every bit as vital as reading and writing - especially now. We spoke to policymakers around the world about how they’re reshaping education around these essential skills.
Future skills, Wellbeing
How children thrive on play
Dive into the evidence for play’s vital role in child development.
At home, In the classroom, Future skills

Let's Play

What Makes Us Special

Ages: 6-9 years

People: 3+

Duration: Under 15 minutes

Mission Improbable

Ages: 6-9 years

People: 3+

Duration: Under 15 minutes

Brick Music Sequence

Ages: 6-9 years

People: 4+

Duration: Under 15 minutes

Unseen Guesses

Ages: 6-9 years

People: 3+

Duration: Under 15 minutes

Traffic Lights

Ages: 6-9 years

People: 3+

Duration: Under 15 minutes