Although play-based learning has been shown to enhance children’s holistic development and contribute to better learning outcomes in school, learning is still too often seen as a purely cognitive and academic process of knowledge building and skill acquisition. Game-based learning approaches are therefore often not introduced into national curricula or are associated with tensions regarding implementation. However, Sustainable Development Goal 4 “Quality Education” explicitly mentions not only cognitive but also non-cognitive skills in sub-goals 4.4 and 4.7 and emphasises their interdependence. This makes the implementation of play-based learning more relevant than ever. Play is not only a human right enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, but also essential for a child’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical development. Through play, children learn and understand the rules of social life, experience joy, motivation and stimulation for learning based on an active body and mind, and acquire important life skills they need for healthy development on their way to adulthood.
In this third OROS (Online RECI Open Space), participants were invited to discuss the effectiveness of the game-based learning approach, its relevance to current reference frameworks (e.g. Education 4.0, the Education 2030 Framework for Action, Global Framework for Refugee Education, etc.), as well as to share their own experiences in implementing the approach in their professional contexts.
This webinar was exclusively for RECI members and partners working for RECI member organisations and provided an opportunity to learn more about the work already being done with this approach within the network.
The event was moderated by Daria Zanni, who opened the discussion with a short presentation based on her experience at Right To Play. Right To Play is an international NGO that has been using play-based methods for over 20 years to protect, educate and empower children, enabling them to overcome barriers, be a child and fulfil their potential.
OROS – Online RECI Open Space – are online events organised by RECI to promote mutual learning and continuous exchange between network members and beyond. Content and format are chosen by members according to their needs, interests and priorities.
