Why Play May Be the Most Powerful School Improvement Strategy We Overlook

Summary for Educators

Based on Mia Sundstrom
"The Largest Study of Human Flourishing Ever Conducted Just Put Play at the Top of the Chart." National Institute for Play, July 2, 2026.

🔵 THE BIG IDEA 

For years, many schools have treated play as something that happens after learning rather than as a powerful way to support learning. Mia Sundstrom argues that the largest global study of human flourishing reinforces what developmental scientists and educators have long suspected: laughter, playfulness, and meaningful social connections are closely associated with well-being and flourishing. Rather than viewing play as a distraction from academic rigor, educators should recognize that playful learning promotes curiosity, creativity, resilience, collaboration, and intrinsic motivation. The article suggests that schools often underestimate the educational value of joyful experiences because they seem too simple or difficult to measure. Yet when thoughtfully integrated into instruction, play becomes a catalyst for deeper engagement and stronger relationships—two essential ingredients for lasting learning and healthy school cultures.

🔵 KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR EDUCATORS

• Design learning experiences that encourage curiosity and joyful exploration.

• Build collaborative activities that strengthen student relationships.

• Incorporate purposeful play into academic instruction—not just recess.

• Create psychologically safe classrooms where creativity is encouraged.

• Balance academic challenge with opportunities for laughter and engagement.

• Recognize that belonging and enjoyment contribute to deeper learning.

◻️ WHY IT MATTERS

Schools continue searching for strategies that improve engagement, attendance, well-being, and academic performance. The emerging evidence suggests these goals may be more interconnected than previously believed. Purposeful play strengthens relationships, lowers stress, increases motivation, and encourages persistence during challenging learning. As schools place greater emphasis on student well-being, leaders have an opportunity to create environments where joy and academic excellence reinforce one another rather than compete.

🟢 LEADERSHIP ACTION STEPS

✔ Redesign lessons to include inquiry, movement, creativity, and collaborative problem-solving.

✔ Encourage teachers to use playful instructional strategies across grade levels.

✔ Protect recess, makerspaces, and other opportunities for joyful learning.

✔ Celebrate classrooms where curiosity and engagement are visibly thriving.

✔ Evaluate school success using measures of belonging, engagement, and well-being alongside achievement.

🟡 LEADER REFLECTION

If students left your school each day feeling both challenged and joyful, how might that change their learning—and their lives?

Original Article------------------------------

Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2026). ChatGPT (5.2) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com

“The Largest Study of Human Flourishing Ever Conducted Just Put Pla... by Mia Sundstrom in National Institute for Play, July 2, 2026