Today is Global School Play Day: Encouraging creativity with screen-free childhood experiences
The idea behind learning through play is to give children the freedom to explore, imagine, and discover at their own pace. When children are placed in unstructured and spontaneous environments, they naturally develop creativity, problem-solving abilities, and social skills. Free play allows learning to happen organically, without pressure, rules, or predetermined outcomes.
Unstructured play encourages children to think independently and make their own choices. As they build, pretend, explore, or invent games, they learn to experiment, take risks, and solve problems in real time. These experiences strengthen cognitive development while fostering curiosity, confidence, and resilience. Without constant adult direction or digital distractions, children gain a deeper sense of ownership over their learning.
Social interaction is another key benefit of free play. When children play together, they learn essential life skills such as sharing, cooperation, communication, and conflict resolution. These interactions help build emotional intelligence, empathy, and teamwork—skills that are just as important as academic knowledge in later life.
Promoting screen-free play is especially important in early childhood. Excessive screen exposure can limit physical activity, imagination, and attention span. In contrast, play-based learning supports movement, sensory exploration, and hands-on experiences that contribute to healthy physical and emotional development.
Ensuring access to pre-school education through play for every child is vital for inclusive growth. Play-based learning environments create equal opportunities for children from all backgrounds to explore, express themselves, and build foundational skills. They also help children develop a positive relationship with learning, making the transition to formal schooling smoother and more meaningful.
By encouraging unstructured, screen-free play, we nurture confident, creative, and socially aware individuals—laying the foundation for lifelong learning and well-rounded development.
