Why Play Is Serious Learning: Understanding the Power of Play in Early Childhood Education
March 1, 2026
For many parents, play and learning are still seen as two separate ideas. Learning is often imagined as structured lessons, books, and worksheets, while play is viewed as something children do after “real work” is done. However, modern research in early childhood education and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 clearly affirm what educators have long known, play is not a break from learning; play is learning.