The play circuit
The most fundamental drive to learn.
Charles Darwin, the renowned naturalist and biologist who shaped our understanding of evolution was, believe it or not, not born a bearded old man.
He was once a young, curious, and playful child. His passion for exploration was evident from an early age, and it was this playful curiosity that laid the foundation for his future achievements.
Enchanted by the mystery of a bird's nest during his free play time, he climbed a tall tree to observe the intricate construction and its inhabitants up close. As he navigated the branches, his mind was likely filled with questions and wonder, not worried about tests and homework.
Instead of attending a traditional school, Darwin was fortunate to receive an education that allowed him to explore his interests. He was taught by private tutors and his father, a physician, who encouraged his love for the natural world. Darwin spent his “down” time collecting specimens, conducting experiments, and embracing the spirit of play that drove his inquiries.
Jaak Panksepp, the pioneering neuroscientist who discovered the fundamental play circuit in the human brain, recognized (and wrote about) the significance of Darwin's playful childhood in shaping the great thinker's intellectual and creative development.
Darwin, according to Panksepp, owes a good portion of his genius to his ability to play freely.
You’d think this information (published in 1998) would completely change the educational system – that administrators would call for the immediate eradication of rows of chairs, factory bells, and a permanent end to the 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. schedule.
It didn’t.
But now, 25 years later, that might be beginning to shift.
The neuroscience of play
It’s understandable that people might be skeptical about the significance of play in children's development, given that play is "fun," and “fun” feels like the opposite of “hard work” – which seems like a necessary component to learning anything important.
A deeper dive into neuroscience, however, reveals that play is far more critical to our children's growth than we might assume.
Jaak Panksepp discovered that play is a fundamental circuit in the human brain, akin to hunger and thirst. That’s a huge shift from the idea that play is “frivolous,” which was the dominant mindset before Panksepp — during the formation of the school system.
Our brains have evolved to prioritize play as an essential aspect of survival and development. Panksepp's research led to a paradigm shift in our understanding of play's significance in the development of social, emotional, and cognitive skills.
Studies have shown that play stimulates the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a crucial protein that supports the growth, maintenance, and survival of neurons. By engaging in play, children promote the formation of new neural connections and enhance their brains’ plasticity, leading to improved cognitive and emotional functioning.
Research on the neural basis of play reveals that the prefrontal cortex, a region associated with executive functions, is highly activated during play. This indicates that play may serve as a natural training ground for the development of cognitive skills like decision-making, problem-solving, and mental flexibility. A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes the importance of play for healthy brain development and its role in building essential life skills. Play clearly accelerates learning in children.
The impact of play on brain development becomes even more apparent when we examine the consequences of play deprivation. Studies on male rats have shown that those who experience play deprivation exhibit underdeveloped prefrontal cortices, impairing their cognitive and social abilities. They also, interestingly, exhibit “hyperactive” (ADHD) behavior. More on that in a moment.
Play has also been shown to reduce the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, in both children and adults. Lower cortisol levels are associated with improved mood, memory, and overall wellbeing, highlighting the importance of play for emotional regulation and mental health.
In addition to the cognitive and emotional benefits of play, there is a growing body of research showing the impact of play on physical development. Rafe Kelley, a movement educator and founder of Evolve Move Play, emphasizes the crucial role that play has in fostering physical competence, coordination, and overall health.
Kelley's work focuses on the benefits of natural movement and unstructured play in outdoor environments. He argues that playful interactions with the natural world not only build essential physical skills, but also deepen our connection to nature and enhance our emotional wellbeing. This holistic approach to play resonates with the insights of experts like Jaak Panksepp, who recognized the value of play in nurturing well-rounded, creative, and adaptable individuals.
All of this points to the idea that play is the evolutionary adaptation to foster children’s learning about the world.
Getting rid of play so children can learn is like getting rid of food to end hunger.
The solution: not more Adderall
The school system’s insistence on suppressing play and movement can lead to prescribing medications like Adderall or Ritalin for children who struggle to conform to traditional educational expectations. Those are more often “hyperactive” (read: play-starved) boys.
These drugs, which are chemically similar to amphetamines, inhibit the very play circuit that stimulates learning. A study published in Neuropsychopharmacology revealed that methylphenidate (Ritalin) actually reduces social play. Destroying the circuit that is most equipped to help your child learn is not a side effect of these medications; that is their goal. Let that sink in.
The classroom is so boring that it must drug children to endure it – and that drug is actively inhibiting kids’ deepest ability to learn.
Failure to play
Despite the overwhelming evidence of what kids really need, the current education system keeps children seated for 7 hours a day, stifling their natural inclination to explore, play, and create.
But the modern education system has been a pillar of our society for a century. That’s not something you should casually dismiss.
You should dismiss it with a lot of evidence.
And a mountain of evidence suggests that it's failing to meet the needs of our rapidly evolving world, specifically because of the lack of play:
A study by Kyung Hee Kim found that creativity scores among American students have significantly decreased since the 1990s.
Research has shown that an excessive focus on test preparation can lead to negative consequences, including decreased motivation and increased anxiety.The high-pressure environment of the modern education system has also been linked to a rise in mental health issues among students, including anxiety, depression, and burnout.
These mental health challenges affect not only academic performance but also have long-term consequences for overall well-being.
The future demands play
And let’s not forget what’s on all our minds: the school system is still failing to catch up to the internet age. As the world becomes increasingly complex, fast-moving, and interconnected (explosively, thanks to AI), the traditional education system's focus on memorization and rigid structures is becoming even more obsolete.
Skills like critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and adaptability – which are nurtured through play-based learning – are becoming increasingly essential, yet neglected.
The American system is grossly ineffective, but other places are doing a better job.
For example, Finnish students consistently rank among the top performers in international academic assessments.
In Finland, children enjoy ample opportunities for play throughout the school day, with frequent recess breaks and minimal homework. Their education system is known for promoting creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Criticism of play in education
While a lot of research supports the benefits of play-based education, some express concerns about giving kids too much space to play. We think that’s ridiculous, but we’ll address the primary concerns:
Lack of discipline: Some argue that an emphasis on play might compromise the development of discipline and self-control. However, this study demonstrates that make-believe play is positively linked to the development of executive function skills, including self-regulation. When children are engaged in play, they are often required to follow rules, collaborate with peers, and exhibit patience and persistence – all of which contribute to the development of self-discipline.
Insufficient focus: Others worry that play-based education may not provide children with a strong foundation in core subjects like math, reading, and writing. But research indicates that play-based learning can be effectively integrated with academic content. A report commissioned by The LEGO Foundation, for instance, highlights the role of play in supporting the development of numeracy, literacy, and problem-solving skills.
Preparing for standardized tests: Some educators argue that an emphasis on play may not adequately prepare students for the high-stakes testing environment prevalent in many educational systems. But standardized testing is just one measure of academic achievement, and does not fully capture the range of skills and abilities children develop through play-based learning. Moreover, several studies have shown that children in play-based programs perform just as well, if not better, on standardized tests compared to their peers in traditional educational settings.
Parents
The system isn’t set up to allow kids to learn through play, but parents can facilitate play-based learning by:
Defending unstructured playtime at home and providing open-ended materials like blocks, art supplies, and dress-up clothes
Encouraging imaginative play (what-if and make-believe, not just structured games)
Nurturing your child's interests by providing tools and opportunities for exploration (if your kid is fascinated by pottery, buy them some clay)
Reading books aloud/as a family that feed your child’s imagination
Providing children with opportunities to go outside
Engaging with local school boards to advocate for play-based learning, reduced homework loads, and increased recess time
Adopting alternative education models, such as Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Acton Academy, or forest schools, which prioritize play, hands-on experiences, and self-directed exploration. (Maria Montessori, the founder of the Montessori education method, pioneered in advocating for child-centered, play-based learning environments and developed an educational approach emphasizing self-directed learning, hands-on activities, and the importance of play in child development.)
This is a call to action for all parents, educators, and policymakers.
We have to reshape our education system to prioritize the power of play.
We owe it to our children and future generations to cultivate an environment where creativity, innovation, and critical thinking can flourish.
By nurturing the power of play, and challenging the over-reliance on amphetamines to suppress natural curiosity, we can create a brighter future for our children and the strange new world they will inherit.
Thanks for reading,
Taylor + rebelEducator team
What we published this week:
How to incorporate play into your kid’s day (and why it’s important)
Here is a puzzle: Finland no longer ranks at the top-- they've been (significantly and materially) surpassed by Singapore and China. Can you extend this discussion to include that change and what it indicates?
Einstein even proclaimed that “play is the highest form of research”. I grew up in Switzerland where Kindergarten starts at age 5 and is purely play-based. We spent the day making up games, role playing, running around the playground, doing puzzles, building, and listening to stories. We did not learn to read, write, or do math apart from writing our own name. At age 7 I went to 1st grade where basic reading, writing, and math skills were quickly picked up because all the students were ready. Many children in Switzerland spend the first two years of Kindergarten playing in forest schools, completely outdoors, all year round. Thanks for this excellent article!