🌿 Play is Learning: Why Play-Based Learning Builds Curious, Confident Children

Diana Weber
Oct 24
3 min read

When you walk into Whimsy Childcare, you might see children building with blocks, mixing colors, exploring nature treasures, or pretending to run a restaurant in dramatic play. To the untrained eye, it looks like play, but to us, it is the foundation of deep learning.

At Whimsy, we believe children learn best through hands-on exploration, imagination, and curiosity. Every moment of play is an opportunity to grow independence, problem-solving skills, empathy, and confidence.

💛 1. The Power of Play

Play is how children make sense of their world. When they pour, stack, sort, dig, and pretend, they are practicing essential life and learning skills.

A tower of blocks teaches physics, balance, and perseverance.
A pretend café builds literacy, numeracy, and teamwork.
Collecting leaves outdoors nurtures observation, classification, and environmental awareness.

Through play, children develop creativity, self-regulation, and confidence. These are skills that cannot be taught by worksheets or screens.

🌿 2. Inspired by Reggio and Nature-Based Learning

Our program draws inspiration from the Reggio Emilia philosophy and a nature-based approach to early learning.

Reggio Emilia encourages educators to see children as capable, curious learners who construct their own understanding of the world through relationships and exploration. Teachers observe, listen, and create environments that invite discovery rather than direct every activity.

Nature-based learning complements this approach beautifully. Outdoor time is not just “recess” at Whimsy, it is an extension of the classroom. Children build resilience and imagination when they engage with real materials like mud, sticks, stones, and plants. Nature also supports sensory development, emotional regulation, and a deep sense of wonder.

🌈 3. Grounded in the Flight Framework

In Alberta’s Flight: Early Learning and Care Framework, play is seen as the vehicle for learning, belonging, and becoming.

Through play, children practice dispositions such as:

Curiosity – wondering, exploring, testing, and discovering.
Inventiveness – finding new ways to use materials and ideas.
Playfulness – experimenting, imagining, and finding joy in the process.

At Whimsy, educators plan environments that respond to children’s interests and discoveries. This approach supports both intellectual growth and emotional well-being.

🌸 4. Learning You Can See

When you peek into our classrooms or outdoor spaces, you might notice:

Children negotiating turns, which builds communication and empathy.
A small group measuring sticks in the sandbox, exploring math and science.
A child drawing their family, strengthening identity and belonging.

Every interaction is rich with learning. We document these moments through photos and reflections, helping families see the learning that happens naturally each day.

🌻 5. How Families Can Encourage Play at Home

Play does not need fancy toys or structured plans. The best play is open-ended, where imagination leads the way.

Try these simple Play Prompts for Home:

Mud Kitchen Magic: Set out old pots, spoons, and bowls outdoors. Add dirt, water, and natural materials for pretend cooking.
Loose Parts Play: Offer a basket of pinecones, shells, buttons, or bottle caps. Let your child sort, stack, and design freely.
Nature Walk Scavenger Hunt: Take a walk and look for shapes, colors, or textures in nature. Collect a few treasures to explore later.
Cardboard Creations: Save boxes for building houses, rockets, or castles.

(Download our free “Play Prompts for Home” printable for more ideas.)

🌼 A Final Thought

Play is not a break from learning; it is learning.

Through play, children develop confidence, curiosity, and joy in discovery that will serve them for a lifetime.

At Whimsy Childcare, we celebrate every messy, imaginative, laughter-filled moment, knowing that play today builds the thinkers, leaders, and dreamers of tomorrow.

📎 Download Play Prompts for Home

Simple, nature-inspired play ideas for families.

📬 Stay Connected For more family resources, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or explore other articles in our Parent Resources Page.