This OER provides an opportunity for further self-directed learning related to the SPIRIT training programme on using games and play to develop transversal skills. Play creates situations in which children can make decisions, solve problems, experiment, communicate, negotiate, cooperate, manage emotions, adapt to change and learn from success and failure. For teachers, understanding these processes can help transform games from enjoyable classroom activities into intentional opportunities for transversal skills development.
Explore: The Genius of Play – Expert Advice
The Genius of Play is an initiative that promotes understanding of the importance of play for children’s learning and development. Its resources explore the connections between play and children’s cognitive, physical, social, emotional, creative and communication development. The Expert Advice collection brings together short articles written by specialists from different professional backgrounds, including educators, psychologists, child development specialists, occupational therapists and researchers.
The collection currently contains 35 articles addressing different aspects of play, learning and child development. Rather than following a single theoretical approach, the articles provide different perspectives on why play matters, what children experience and learn through play, and how adults can create meaningful opportunities for playful learning.
For SPIRIT teachers, the collection provides a useful resource bank for exploring how different forms of play may contribute to the development of transversal skills.
Explore the full collection: The Genius of Play – Expert Advice
1. Explore the Articles through the SPIRIT Skills
As a SPIRIT teacher, You do not need to read all 35 articles. Instead, choose articles according to the skills or aspects of playful learning that you would like to explore further. Here are some particularly relevant starting points.
I. Play, Learning and Skills Development
1. More Than Fun: Why Play-Based Learning Matters More Than Ever
This article provides a useful starting point for exploring why play should be understood as a learning process rather than simply recreation. It can help teachers consider how playful experiences encourage children to explore, experiment and develop skills through active participation.
Recommended if you want to explore: Play-based learning • Active learning • Skills development
Read the article:
https://thegeniusofplay.org/genius/expert-advice/articles/more-than-fun-why-play-based-learning-matters-more-than-ever.aspx
2. The Power of Playful Learning
This article explores how playful learning can contribute to children’s development and considers different forms and functions of play. It is particularly useful for understanding that different types of play create different opportunities for skills development and that the teacher, the environment and the degree of structure can influence children’s learning experiences.
Recommended if you want to explore: Creativity • Problem-solving • Critical thinking • Flexibility • Communication • Social learning
Read the article:
https://thegeniusofplay.org/genius/expert-advice/articles/the-power-of-playful-learning.aspx
3. The Importance of Unstructured Play to Child Development
Unstructured play gives children opportunities to make choices, generate ideas, organise their own activity and respond to unexpected situations without every step being determined by an adult. This makes the article particularly relevant when considering how child agency and freedom within play can support skills development.
Recommended if you want to explore: Creativity • Flexibility • Problem-solving • Curiosity, sense of wonder and openness • Resilience
Read the article:
https://thegeniusofplay.org/genius/expert-advice/articles/the-importance-of-unstructured-play-to-child-development.aspx
II. Play, Emotions and Resilience
1. Why Emotionally Complex Games Build Resilience, Grit, and Moral Courage in Kids
Games do not always produce positive emotions. Children may experience excitement, uncertainty, disappointment, frustration, disagreement and losing – all within the relatively safe environment of play. The article provides an interesting perspective on why these emotionally complex experiences can themselves become valuable learning opportunities.
Recommended if you want to explore: Resilience • Emotional awareness, regulation and communication • Empathy • Flexibility
Read the article:
https://thegeniusofplay.org/genius/expert-advice/articles/why-emotionally-complex-games-build-resilience-grit-and-moral-courage-in-kids.aspx
2. Play to Learn Critical Social & Emotional Life Skills
Play provides children with opportunities to experience social situations rather than simply learn about them. During play they may need to communicate, recognise emotions, respond to other people, negotiate and regulate their own behaviour. This article is particularly relevant to the social and emotional dimensions of the SPIRIT skills.
Recommended if you want to explore:
Emotional awareness, regulation and communication • Empathy • Connectedness
Read the article:
https://thegeniusofplay.org/genius/expert-advice/articles/play-to-learn-critical-social-and-emotional-life-skills.aspx
III. Play, Creativity and Problem-Solving
1. FOUR Questions that Transform Playtime into Discovery and Invention Time
This article shows how carefully chosen questions can extend children’s play without taking control of it. For teachers, this raises an important issue: adult intervention during play can either close down children’s thinking or open up new possibilities for exploration and discovery.
Recommended if you want to explore: Curiosity, sense of wonder and openness • Creativity • Problem-solving • Critical thinking
Read the article:
https://thegeniusofplay.org/genius/expert-advice/articles/4-questions-that-transform-playtime-into-discovery-and-invention-time.aspx
2. Side-by-Side Creativity: How a Shared Surface Sparks Teamwork
Creating something together requires children to contribute ideas while also responding to the ideas of others. This provides an interesting example of how creativity can become a social process, involving communication, negotiation and shared decision-making rather than simply individual expression.
Recommended if you want to explore: Creativity • Connectedness • Empathy • Emotional awareness, regulation and communication
Read the article:
https://thegeniusofplay.org/genius/expert-advice/articles/side-by-side-creativity-how-a-shared-surface-sparks-teamwork.aspx
IV. Play, STEAM and Inquiry
1. Play Hard, Learn Hard: The Magic of “Hard Fun” in STEAM
Some of the most valuable playful learning experiences are not necessarily easy. A challenge can be enjoyable precisely because children need to experiment, persist, rethink and eventually overcome a difficulty. The concept of “hard fun” therefore provides an interesting connection between playful learning, transversal skills development and STEAM education.
Recommended if you want to explore: Problem-solving • Resilience • Creativity • Flexibility • Critical thinking
Read the article:
https://thegeniusofplay.org/genius/expert-advice/articles/play-hard-learn-hard-the-magic-of-hard-fun-in-steam.aspx
2. SIX Ways to Learn Science Through Play
This article explores ways in which science learning can emerge through playful investigation and everyday experiences. It is useful for teachers interested in creating opportunities for pupils to observe, question, experiment and discover rather than simply receive scientific information.
Recommended if you want to explore: Curiosity, sense of wonder and openness • Critical thinking • Problem-solving • Creativity
Read the article:
https://thegeniusofplay.org/genius/expert-advice/articles/6-ways-to-learn-science-through-play.aspx
3. Pathways to Genius: Curiosity, Wonder, and Play in STEAM
Curiosity and wonder are powerful starting points for learning. Play gives children opportunities to follow questions, investigate possibilities and discover unexpected relationships. This article provides a particularly strong connection between play, inquiry and STEAM learning.
Recommended if you want to explore: Curiosity, sense of wonder and openness • Creativity • Problem-solving • Critical thinking
Read the article:
https://thegeniusofplay.org/genius/expert-advice/articles/pathways-to-genius-curiosity-wonder-and-play-in-steam.aspx
V. Play, Nature and Responsibility
1. Outdoor Nature-Based Play Ideas for Every Season
Outdoor play provides experiences that cannot always be reproduced in the classroom. Natural environments are variable and unpredictable, inviting children to observe, explore, adapt and interact directly with their surroundings.
Recommended if you want to explore: Curiosity, sense of wonder and openness • Flexibility • Resilience • Valuing people and nature
Read the article:
https://thegeniusofplay.org/genius/expert-advice/articles/outdoor-nature-based-play-ideas-for-every-season.aspx
2. Empowering Eco-Action Through Play
Play can also provide opportunities for children to explore environmental questions and experience that their choices and actions can make a difference. This article is particularly relevant to the SPIRIT skill Valuing people and nature and to connecting playful learning with environmental responsibility.
Recommended if you want to explore: Valuing people and nature • Connectedness • Problem-solving • Creativity
Read the article:
https://thegeniusofplay.org/genius/expert-advice/articles/empowering-eco-action-through-play.aspx
VI. Inclusive Play
Safer Play Spaces for Children of All Abilities
Meaningful play opportunities should be available to every child. This article encourages reflection on how play spaces and activities can support children with different abilities and needs. For teachers, it provides a useful reminder that participation in a game does not automatically mean equal participation in the learning opportunities created by the game.
Recommended if you want to explore: Empathy • Connectedness • Valuing people and nature • Inclusive playful learning
Read the article:
https://thegeniusofplay.org/genius/expert-advice/articles/safer-play-spaces-for-children-of-all-abilities.aspx
2. Choose Your Own Learning Path
The Expert Advice collection is not intended to be read from beginning to end. Use it as a resource bank for your own professional learning.
Step 1 – Choose a SPIRIT skill
Select the skills that you would like to understand better in relation to play:
Step 2 – Choose an article
Select one of the recommended articles above – or explore the full collection and find another article that is particularly relevant to your pupils and teaching context.
Step 3 – Connect the article with your practice
While reading, consider:
- What happens during play that creates an opportunity for this skill to develop?
- What does the pupil need to think, feel, decide or do?
- What role does interaction with other pupils play?
- What role does the teacher or other adult play?
- What conditions in the play environment support the skill?
Step 4 – Try it in your classroom
Think of a game or playful activity that you already use. Based on what you have read, identify one small change that could strengthen opportunities for pupils to practise the selected SPIRIT skill. The change might involve:
- the rules of the game;
- the choices available to pupils;
- the way pupils work together;
- the questions you ask;
- the materials or environment;
- the way you respond to mistakes or losing;
- or the reflection after the game.
3. Reflection
After trying the activity, ask yourself:
- What did pupils actually do that required them to use the selected skill?
- Did all pupils have meaningful opportunities to practise it?
- What did I observe during the game that I might not have noticed before?
- What could I change next time?
The key question is not simply:
- “Did the pupils enjoy the game?”
but also:
- “What opportunities did the game create for pupils to practise and develop transversal skills?”
Explore Further
The The Genius of Play – Expert Advice collection contains many additional perspectives on play, including articles about physical play, risky play, screen-free play, environmental learning, inclusive play, creativity and children’s social and emotional development. Explore the collection and select the resources that are most relevant to your own pupils and professional interests.
Explore all Expert Advice articles:
https://thegeniusofplay.org/tgop/genius/expert-advice/expert-advice-home.aspx?hkey=cdff7567-680b-4058-becd-0416fa9459cd