You know the games well: peek-a-boo, building blocks, pretend tea parties. But while these simple moments may look like fun and games, they’re actually the building blocks of a child’s brain. Play is the way children explore their world, test new ideas, and make sense of emotions. In fact, decades of research show that learning through play is one of the most effective ways to support healthy cognitive, social, and emotional development.

Here’s where this comes into play for you: for nannies and parents, understanding the power of play can transform everyday routines into rich learning experiences. Whether you’re playing tag toddler or setting up a make-believe grocery store in the living room, every playful moment can nurture growth, curiosity, and confidence.

1) Why Learning Through Play Matters

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), play is “essential to developing creativity, imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength.” Through play, children learn how to problem-solve, collaborate, communicate, and manage frustration, all foundational life skills that can’t be taught from talking about them alone.

Neurological research backs this up: playful experiences activate multiple areas of the brain simultaneously, reinforcing memory, executive function, and emotional regulation. In other words, when children play, their brains are building complex connections that support lifelong learning.

2) The Science Behind Play-Based Learning

Play isn’t just one single activity. It’s a dynamic process that supports learning on multiple levels. Here are some examples and ideas for each sect of learning through play:

• Cognitive growth: Building towers, solving puzzles, and, through this play, exploring cause-and-effect and strengthening reasoning and memory.
• Language development: Pretend play, storytelling, and song build vocabulary and communication skills.
• Social skills: Cooperative play helps children learn empathy, turn-taking, and teamwork.
• Emotional regulation: Dramatic play lets children process feelings in a safe, imaginative space.

The Harvard Center on the Developing Child notes that when children engage in playful learning, they’re not just absorbing information; they’re learning how to learn.

3) Turning Everyday Moments into Learning Opportunities

You don’t need expensive toys or elaborate setups to promote learning through play. Everyday experiences can become developmental goldmines when caregivers approach them with curiosity and intention.

a) For babies (0–12 months):

• Narrate your routines. Talk to them through diaper changes or feedings to build language exposure.
• Tummy time games. Encourage reaching, rolling, and exploring textures while in tummy time.
• Peek-a-boo and cause-and-effect toys. These teach object permanence and predictability.

b) For toddlers (1–3 years):

• Sorting and stacking. Use household objects to teach colors, shapes, and counting.
• Pretend cooking. Stirring, pouring, and pretending build fine-motor skills and imagination.
• Sing and move. Nursery rhymes and dancing along enhance rhythm, memory, and coordination.

c) For preschoolers (3–5 years):

• Imaginative play. Dress-up, role-play, and make-believe strengthen creativity and empathy.
• Outdoor exploration. Collect leaves in the fall, build with sand, or follow an ant trail to encourage scientific thinking.
• Read aloud and invite children to invent alternate endings.

d) For school-age children (6+ years):

• Board games and strategy play. Build patience, reasoning, and teamwork.
• DIY projects. Encourage invention and problem-solving through building or crafting.
• Music and movement. Learning an instrument or choreographing a dance supports memory and focus.

4) The Role of Caregivers in Play

The most effective play is child-led but supported by attentive adults. Here’s how caregivers can elevate playtime:

• Follow the child’s lead. Join in their world rather than directing it.
• Ask open-ended questions. Questions like “What do you think will happen next?” spark curiosity and reasoning.
• Encourage exploration, not perfection. Mistakes are part of the process—celebrate effort and creativity.
• Balance structure with freedom. Offer materials and ideas, then step back and let imagination take over.

When caregivers approach play as partners and tools, children benefit from consistency, encouragement, and emotional security, all crucial elements of learning through play.

5) Bridging Home and Care Environments

Children thrive when their worlds feel connected. To create continuity between parental and nanny care:

• Share notes about favorite games or emerging interests.
• Rotate toys or themes weekly to keep curiosity alive.
• Reinforce similar play philosophies, such as limiting screen time or promoting outdoor exploration.

This collaboration ensures that children experience learning through play seamlessly across environments.

Play is a child’s most powerful teacher. By embracing learning through play, parents and nannies can nurture curiosity, creativity, and emotional intelligence in every moment of the day.

So the next time your little one builds a fort, hosts a pretend tea party, or invents a game on the spot, remember: that’s learning in action. And with your support, it’s setting the foundation for a lifetime of growth and discovery.