Learning through play has never been more effective. Find out why educators and parents alike choose Implay for educational play solutions, supporting children both in and out of the classroom. 

Unicef describes the ages from birth to eight as ‘the most important period of human development’. It’s a time when the brain forms the most neural connections it will ever create, meaning children are capable of learning at an absolutely remarkable rate. And yet, at this age, we can’t exactly sit very young kids down with a textbook, can we? Instead, we need to promote learning through different methods. 

Play has emerged as perhaps the most powerful of these methods. 

Play may look like just that – play – to us adults. But to children, it’s an activity that encompasses everything they need to develop: meaning, joy, engagement, interactivity, iteration, participation, creativity, imagination, and more. Playful experiences allow children to tap into a range of skills. 

And what’s really important to understand here is that learning through play doesn’t just have to take place within dedicated learning establishments. It works just as well in the home. 

Learning outside the classroom

Learning outside the classroom, or LOtC, acknowledges the importance of continuing to learn beyond the nursery, or beyond the school. And it’s critical in terms of development because, by their 18th birthday, kids have only spent 9% of their waking life in school! It’s hard to believe, isn’t it?

Yet it’s true. And what that shows us is that, while school is undoubtedly important, it’s really just one small part of the overall learning journey. It’s clear that educators should be encouraging learning beyond the classroom, and that parents should be helping to facilitate it. However, this doesn’t have to mean going to the zoo, or organising museum trips. Much of the time, it simply means giving children what they need to learn at home. And as we’ve seen, what they need is a chance to play. 

“Learning beyond the classroom offers children and young people a way to develop skills, build knowledge, discover hobbies, and explore new interests on their own terms.” 

 – Helen O’Donnell, CEO, Children’s University Trust

Consistency in play… no matter where you are

A question we’re often asked here at Implay is whether we offer a dedicated home range, or a dedicated school range. Our answer? No – and that’s why Implay is the top choice for educational play. 

As we’ve seen, learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom. It happens everywhere; anywhere there’s an experience to be had, or an interaction to participate in. And it’s the role of parents and educators to help connect these separate educational sessions – from across a huge range of locations – into one comprehensive learning experience. This helps kids to apply what they’ve learned in one place into a variety of other situations. Without that, learning becomes segmented; children may be able to apply knowledge to one situation, but struggle to bring it with them into another. 

Take, for example, the Implay Cheeky Monkey Rocker. Designed for two, a child can enjoy it at home and share it with a sibling, coordinating movements to rock together. When a similar piece of equipment is available at nursery, at school, or at a play centre, children can transfer what they’ve learned about sharing and coordination to the new environment, with help from familiar play items. 

We’ve developed a range of soft play products that are flexible and diverse enough to be utilised in a wide range of environments – right through from schools to homes. We’re helping to bridge the gap between learning centres, helping to provide little ones with educational consistency that supports them as they roll out their knowledge more broadly, across many parts of their life. 

“When we enable children to build these skills and to practise and apply them in so many areas, we really set them up to thrive in the rest of their lives: better able to learn, to build strong relationships, to be resilient, and to have stronger wellbeing.” 

 – Tom Ravenscroft, Founder & CEO Skills Builder

Learning through play, everywhere

So does learning through play, and learning through play beyond the classroom, really drive results? Absolutely. In fact, research suggests that children who engage in learning outside of school can enhance their maths and reading skills, along with boosting teamwork and social responsibility. 

Here at Implay, we’re proud to offer a range of soft play solutions that fit seamlessly into both home and school environments. We’re providing children with opportunities to learn through play wherever they are, and begin building – and continue developing – the vital skills needed to thrive in life. 

Take a look at our range, and start building your own play-based learning environments today.