What Children Learn During Playtime

by Slavica Jovanovic Bubic, Early Childhood Education & Media Coordinator

Find out which skills children learn through everyday play

I am fortunate enough to live in the same city as my 6-year-old niece, giving us the opportunity to spend lots of time together. We have a loving and trusting relationship, and I'll often drop by to visit her at her home.

When I come over, she's usually playing with the other children in the common areas of her apartment complex while adults and parents are supervising and socializing. One warm evening while I was visiting my niece and her family, she convinced me to join her and her friends in the front of the building for a game of jump rope.

The children were of all different ages and had many different interests. For example, while some children wanted to show me the jump roping skills they had mastered, others expressed their curiosity about our culture and the language my niece and I speak.

After the kids and I were done challenging ourselves with jump rope, we moved on to playing ball. We stood in a circle so all of the children — boys and girls, older and younger — could participate. When we had finished our fun for the night, some of the children asked if I would come back and play with them again.

As I look back on that experience, I'm struck by how wonderful it was to see the many different beneficial, natural and amazing aspects of what we call "play" — and how the fun and spontaneous aspects of "play" function as important learning opportunities for children.

During those seemingly simple games of jump rope and ball, Natalie and her friends both had fun and learned a variety of skills: interacting positively and productively with different generations and different genders, forming and maintaining friendships, and learning about different cultures and languages — to name just a few. Perhaps most importantly, I was reminded that children are very eager to have adults participate with them in their games — to join in the fun, to help build their self-esteem and to support their learning.

Some time passed until I went to see my sweet niece again. As I was walking toward her apartment, I heard a child call, "Hi! When are you going to play with us again?" I promised to go back for another game of jump rope very soon.

This summer, as your children are out playing, remember that it's a great way for them to learn and grow. And be sure to join them!

Below are some skills children learn through common, everyday play and some Web sites you can go to for fun and educational activity ideas.

Skills Children Learn Through Everyday Play

Note - Make sure children are supervised at all times, and that their activities and friendships are approved by trusting adults.

- Social/Emotional

- Motor skills (Large and Fine)
    Examples: Hula hoping, hopscotch, jumping rope, playing catch, clapping games/patty cake

- Language Development

- Math and Pre-Math Skills

- Science

- Artistic Expression and Creativity
    Examples: Drawing with sidewalk chalk

- Music/Rhythm and More
    Examples: Jumping rope, clapping games/patty cake, hopscotch

Find more activity ideas at PBS Parents

PBS Parents Guide to Creativity 

PBS Parents Guide to Early Math 

PBS Parents: Fun and Games

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Contact Slavica Jovanovic Bubic 

Find out more about OPB's Early Childhood Education & Media Service