Play is essential for young children, including when it comes to their learning

Play-based early childhood programs can help young kids develop emotional regulation and problem-solving skills, traits that can serve them well throughout childhood.

By: Kelley Mayer White, College of Charleston, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: July 28, 2026

Words: 1,178

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 1 day ago

Body Text Preview

By Kelley Mayer White, College of Charleston

Prioritizing play offers a variety of benefits for children, from helping them grow their vocabulary to managing their big feelings with fewer behavioral problems.

Play also benefits children’s cognitive and social and emotional development.

But play isn’t always a focus in classrooms, even when it comes to very young children.

My colleagues and I conducted a study …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

About

FAQ

Email Us