02/18/2026
We’re always excited to have visitors come share our space and activities. Our babies are brilliant the materials and invitations we set out for them helps them shine.
Yesterday, I had the privilege of visiting some of our GOFCC homes and as I watched caregivers/providers/educators/teachers interact with the children in their care, It became very clear to me why we preach play is the learning. So that got me to thinking about what I’ve learned over the years and what I’ve studied and come to know as right, developmentally appropriate, developmentally sustainable, what’s best for children. The following blog post came from yesterday‘s experience.
It Happened Right in Front of Me Today.
Today I watched a child— two yrs old two years old OK—completely immersed in play.
No worksheet.
No desk.
No “do it again.”
Just deep concentration.
The provocation connected to Chinese New Year. A bamboo rice bowl. A ramen bowl. Yarn as “noodles.” A tiny baby bottle.
She began by filling the bamboo bowl with yarn.
Then she transferred it to another bowl.
Then she noticed the bottle.
She handed it to me and asked for help opening the lid.
And then she did something extraordinary.
She began pushing yarn through the tiny opening of the bottle—slowly, deliberately, adjusting her grip, repositioning her fingers, concentrating. Pushing. Working. Thinking.
Fine motor coordination.
Problem-solving.
Cognitive planning.
Cause and effect.
Persistence.
Every gear turning.
She filled it to capacity.
Then she handed it to me and smiled.
“I did it,” her face said before her words ever could.
And then?
She dumped it out.
And did it again.
And again.
And again.
Why Play Accelerates Mastery
When children learn through play, something powerful happens in the brain.
Research tells us:
• Repetition in meaningful, self-chosen activity strengthens neural pathways.
• Emotion + engagement increases retention.
• Active, hands-on exploration builds more complex neural connections than passive instruction.
Dr. Jack Shonkoff of the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard explains that early experiences literally shape brain architecture. Neural connections are built through repeated, responsive interactions and experiences—not through rote drills.
Dr. Stuart Brown’s research on play shows that play activates the prefrontal cortex, supporting executive function, problem-solving, and flexible thinking.
The National Scientific Council on the Developing Child emphasizes that “serve and return” experiences and hands-on engagement are what wire the brain for future learning.
When a child chooses the work, persists in the challenge, and experiences success, dopamine is released. Dopamine strengthens neural circuits and increases motivation to repeat the learning.
That little girl didn’t need 50 flashcards.
She needed a bottle.
Some yarn.
And time.
How Many Repetitions Does It Take?
In rote learning, repetition is often external:
“Do it again.”
“Practice it.”
“Try harder.”
In play, repetition is internal:
“I want to try that again.”
“I can do it better.”
“What happens if…?”
Neuroscience suggests that neural pathways strengthen through repeated activation in emotionally meaningful contexts. When repetition is self-initiated and joyful, consolidation happens faster and more deeply.
Play isn’t the break from learning.
Play is the brain building itself.
What I Saw
I didn’t see “just playing.”
I saw:
✔ Fine motor development
✔ Executive function
✔ Problem-solving
✔ Cognitive flexibility
✔ Language (“Take the lid off.”)
✔ Persistence
✔ Mastery
✔ Joy
And the most important piece?
Belonging.
She handed it to me.
She wanted it witnessed.
Learning is relational.
If you ever doubt that play is powerful, sit beside a toddler with a provocation.
Watch.
The brain is wiring itself in front of you.
Play is not extra.
It’s essential.
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📚 Research References
• Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University (Shonkoff, J.) – Brain Architecture & Serve-and-Return
• National Scientific Council on the Developing Child (2004–2020 reports) – Early Brain Development
• Brown, S. (2009). Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul.
• Hirsh-Pasek, K., Golinkoff, R., & Eyer, D. (2003). Einstein Never Used Flashcards.
• Gopnik, A. (2009). The Philosophical Baby.
• Diamond, A. (2013). Executive Functions. Annual Review of Psychology.
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