When we hear the phrase “play‑based learning”, what often comes to mind is children running, imagining, building, exploring – things that seem “just fun.” But that play isn’t just recreation: it is powerful brain‑building. Simple back‑and‑forth interactions, when children play and adults respond, help build the architecture of the brain, especially the pre‑frontal cortex, which supports planning, problem‐solving, self‑control and emotional regulation.
Why does this matter for your child now and beyond the early years? Because the neural connections built during these types of playful interactions lay the groundwork not only for academic learning (reading, math) but for lifelong skills: perseverance when things don’t immediately work, flexibility in thinking, social‑emotional awareness, creativity. In short, playing in this thoughtful way supports how children learn, not just what they learn.
At CBA, we are proud to implement play-based learning in our preschool and kindergarten classrooms. It builds joy in learning as well as all of the wonderful cognitive benefits listed above.
