Why play isn’t just fun and games: The science behind building brilliant young minds

Education

As a parent, you’ve probably heard it countless times: “They’re just playing.” But what if that simple statement is actually underselling one of the most powerful tools in childhood development? With major changes coming to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework in September 2025, early years experts are reminding us why play deserves to be taken seriously.

Katie Hall, an EYFS practitioner and Director at Springboard Supplies, has spent over 15 years watching children flourish through play-based learning. Her message is clear: while new safeguarding regulations and policy updates provide essential structure, it’s play that truly builds the foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing.

More than just keeping them busy

When your toddler is stacking blocks, sorting buttons, or creating elaborate stories with their toys, something remarkable is happening inside their developing brain. According to insights from Springboard Supplies, sensory and exploratory play in children aged 0-5 actively forms neural pathways that support everything from motor skills and memory to emotional regulation and understanding social cues.

“Play enables children to engage in active learning, explore their creativity, build problem-solving skills and learn the rules of social interaction,” Katie explains. Far from being a break from learning, play is learning in its most natural and effective form.

The educational theory that backs it up

The EYFS curriculum’s emphasis on play isn’t just feel-good philosophy, it’s rooted in solid educational theory. Influential theorists Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky demonstrated that children learn best through active engagement and exploration, constructing knowledge through hands-on experiences rather than passive instruction.

Think about how a child learns that round objects roll: they don’t need a lecture on physics, they discover it by pushing a ball, watching a marble, experimenting with different shapes. This kind of play-based discovery creates deeper understanding and better retention of concepts, ultimately preparing children for future academic success.

What happens when play is missing?

The consequences of insufficient play opportunities extend far beyond boredom. Children who miss out on adequate play may experience heightened stress and anxiety, leading to emotional and behavioural challenges. Social skills can be underdeveloped, making it harder to form friendships and navigate peer relationships.

Over time, these gaps can contribute to a widening achievement gap. Children who lack play-based learning experiences may struggle to keep pace with their peers who’ve had richer opportunities to explore, experiment and problem-solve through play.

“The absence of these types of play can stifle creativity and critical thinking skills, making it difficult for children to adapt to new challenges in a school environment,” Katie warns.

The play tools that make the biggest impact

Not all play activities are created equal. The most effective resources support multiple areas of development simultaneously, touching on several of the EYFS’s seven learning domains at once:

• Puppets and storytelling aids might seem simple, but they’re powerhouses for development. They support speech development, encourage role-play, build emotional literacy, and boost social confidence all in one activity.
• Physical play equipment like river stones and obstacle planks don’t just strengthen gross motor skills, they prompt collaborative play and problem-solving as children figure out how to navigate challenges together.
• Sensory exploration stations such as tuff trays and sand pits combine tactile exploration with language-rich storytelling opportunities, making them true learning goldmines.

A philosophy worth remembering

At the heart of effective early years education is a simple but powerful principle: sensory play is fundamental, not optional. When children thread beads, explore textured blocks, or use emotion cards to identify feelings, they’re building essential connections in the brain that shape how they’ll think, question and relate to others throughout their lives.

The reality check: Funding challenges

It’s worth acknowledging the elephant in the room. Many EYFS settings are facing tough financial conditions, with funding concerns putting pressure on resources. However, innovation doesn’t always require big budgets. The most valued classroom tools are often those which are reusable, multi-functional and adaptable across different age groups and topics.

Technology certainly has its place, but sometimes the simplest resources, natural materials, open-ended toys, and classics like building blocks, deliver the most powerful developmental benefits.

What this means for parents

As the EYFS framework evolves with new safeguarding measures and updated guidance, the core message for parents remains unchanged: prioritising play isn’t about avoiding structure or letting children “just mess about.” It’s about recognising play as the serious business of childhood development.

Whether you’re choosing a nursery, planning activities at home, or advocating for your child’s needs, remember that quality play experiences aren’t a luxury; they’re a necessity. They’re how young brains wire themselves for success, how children learn to navigate emotions and relationships, and how the foundation is laid for everything that follows.

The children building towers today are building their future capabilities. The ones creating imaginary worlds are developing the creativity and problem-solving skills they’ll need throughout life. And those figuring out how to share the sandpit? They’re mastering the social skills that will serve them in every relationship they’ll ever have.

That’s not “just playing.” That’s growing a brilliant mind.

Looking ahead

With the September 2025 EYFS reforms on the horizon, bringing enhanced safeguarding measures and updated protocols, there’s never been a more important time to ensure that policy changes don’t overshadow what really matters: giving children the time, space and resources to play, explore and develop naturally.

As Katie Hall puts it, adequately resourced early years settings aren’t a luxury, they’re a necessity. And at the centre of those settings should always be opportunities for rich, varied, meaningful play that nurtures every aspect of a child’s development.

So the next time someone says “they’re just playing,” you’ll know better. They’re building their brain, one block, one story, one sensory experience at a time.