Working Across Disciplines to Understand Playful Learning in Educational Settings

Abstract

Educators stress the importance of play for children's cognitive, social, physical, and emotional development. In order to effectively advocate for the inclusion of play in education settings, it is important to fully understand it. Two researchers, one from England and one from the Netherlands, sought common ground for understanding what children are doing and learning when they play in educational settings. They found strong potential in designing and implementing combined approaches to the study of playful learning, letting go of cultural differences and instead concentrating on taking out the message.