Why Children’s Brains Learn Better Through Play – According to Science (and Experience)

When your child struggles to learn, play may be the missing piece

If you’ve ever watched your child light up while building Lego castles or inventing dramatic scenes with action figures, you’ve seen what engagement looks like. Now compare that to the slumped shoulders and frustration that often follow school homework. One sparks curiosity; the other ignites stress. But what if learning could feel more like playing—and still be effective?

For parents of children aged 6 to 12, especially those dealing with learning difficulties or school-related anxiety, the pressure to help “fix” things can be overwhelming. You may have already tried stricter routines, reward systems, even tears (yours and theirs). But neuroscience and decades of child development research point us in a different direction: play is not the opposite of learning. It is learning.

The brain’s favorite teacher: play

Play is biologically primed within us. When children play, their brains release dopamine—a neurotransmitter that not only boosts mood but also enhances attention and memory. Play supports the mental processes that kids rely on for problem-solving, planning, and regulating emotions. In short, it prepares the brain to learn.

When your child pretends to run a bakery or turns a math assignment into a detective game, they’re not just having fun—they’re absorbing concepts on a deeper, more durable level. They’re using what psychologists call “executive functioning skills,” which are key to academic success but develop best through free and structured play.

Yet, in our culture of worksheets, checklists, and performance anxiety, play often seems like a luxury. But a little shift in mindset and tools can make all the difference.

Turning lessons into stories—and making your child the star

Recently, I spoke with a mother named Caroline, whose 8-year-old daughter, Lila, has dyslexia. Homework time had become a battle. Lila avoided anything that smelled like effort. But when they started turning spelling drills into silly rhyming games, and grammar lessons into make-believe adventures, Lila engaged—joyfully. It wasn’t just better learning. It was better connection.

Some tools now help you create that kind of magic with minimal prep. For example, when a child who’s more of a listener than a reader can hear their multiplication lesson turned into an audio adventure where they rescue unicorns using math—as in the Skuli App, which lets you turn written lessons into stories where your child is the hero—it not only boosts motivation but deepens recall. Hearing their first name woven into the narrative taps directly into what excites their brain: meaning, emotion, involvement.

Play isn't just for preschoolers

Many parents assume that the older their child gets, the less play matters. But ages 6 to 12 are actually a golden window for playful learning. This stage of development is ideal for games that involve logic, strategy, and imagination. Board games, storytelling, role-play, and even video games—used mindfully—can provide layered learning opportunities.

Consider these everyday transformations:

• Turn history into a role-playing game where your child is a time-traveling reporter sent to ancient Egypt.
• Create a reading scavenger hunt around the house tied in with vocabulary words.
• Use cooking as a chance to practice fractions, sequencing, and reading comprehension.

Need more ideas? Here’s a whole list of fun and educational after-school activities designed to sneak in learning while keeping the joy alive.

When play heals stress

Children facing school-related stress often feel caught in a world that doesn’t accept their learning style. Homework can become a trigger. But play creates a safe space. No grades. No red marks. Just space to explore.

In one family I worked with, their 10-year-old son had developed school refusal. But when his older sister turned reviewing geography into a “mission to map a lost kingdom,” he not only participated—he led the game the next day. Through the lens of play, fear stepped aside, and curiosity took its place.

There’s a subtle but important distinction here. You’re not bribing a child with games after learning. You’re making play the medium through which learning happens. The difference is enormous, and it’s one that many well-meaning parents miss. (It’s addressed in this insightful piece on common mistakes to avoid when making homework fun.)

How to start (without overhauling your whole routine)

You don’t need to be a Pinterest parent or a spontaneous comedian to bring more play into learning. What matters most is your intention. Start with one subject your child dislikes, and ask: “How can we turn this into a game, a puzzle, a challenge?” Or simply ask your child: “How could we learn this in a more fun way?” Their creative brain may surprise you.

If you don’t have time to invent games yourself, explore tools and resources that do it for you. Even something as simple as snapping a photo of a lesson and getting a ready-made quiz back can cut your stress. (In fact, some apps, like Skuli, offer that exact feature.) The goal isn’t just to make life easier—but to make learning kinder. More human. More child-shaped.

One final reminder: Play doesn’t compete with serious learning. It is serious learning. It’s how your child’s brain is wired to explore, integrate, and grow. By learning to trust play as a tool—and not a distraction—you’re not only helping your child learn better. You’re helping them love learning again.

And maybe, as the stress eases and the laughter returns, you’ll find yourself loving it again, too.

Want to explore how psychologists define learning through play, and how it can apply to your child? Read this article next.