Learning through Play Experience Tool by The LEGO Foundation
The course Learning through Play Experience Tool focused on five key characteristics ideas that show how children learn best through play. These ideas explain how playful activities help children build important skills that support their growth and learning in today’s changing world.
The course was based on a tool developed by The LEGO Foundation to help teachers and facilitators understand children’s learning experiences and think about how they can improve their own teaching.
The Five Characteristics
According to the LEGO Foundation, learning through play happens when an activity is joyful, meaningful, actively engaging, iterative, and socially interactive. These elements are not strict definitions of play but rather a framework that shows how play leads to deeper learning and engagement.
Joyful
Joy is at the top of every playful experience. It is not only about having fun but also about the excitement of discovery and the satisfaction that comes after overcoming a challenge. Research shows that curiosity and positive emotions can boost learning. For example, children tend to learn more from surprising events than from predictable ones.
As a trainee teacher, I have realized how important joy is in the classroom. It is not just about keeping students happy but creating moments of curiosity and excitement that make learning memorable.
Actively engaging
Active engagement means being fully absorbed in an activity. When a child is so focused on building something that they don’t notice anything around them, that’s a sign of true engagement. This mental involvement is powerful because it encourages deep concentration and independent thinking.
For me, this idea showed how important it is to create activities that capture students’ attention and imagination. The more they’re engaged, the more they learn without feeling pressured.
Iterative
Iteration is about trying new things, testing ideas, and learning from mistakes. Whether it’s a child adjusting the height of a block tower or testing how a marble rolls, this process helps them think critically and solve problems.
I found this especially helpful, because it reminded me that mistakes are part of learning. Encouraging children to experiment builds their confidence and creativity.
Meaningful
Learning becomes meaningful when children connect new experiences to things they already know. During play, they often imitate what they’ve seen or explore familiar ideas in new ways. This helps them express their understanding through stories, drawings, or play activities.
Understanding this made me realize that every child’s background shapes how they learn. As teachers, we can use their experiences to make lessons more relatable and meaningful.
Socially interactive
Play often involves communication and teamwork. When children share ideas, listen to others, and build things together, they not only enjoy the experience but also develop social and emotional skills.
I’ve seen how social interaction makes learning more powerful. Children learn to express themselves, respect others, and feel confident in group settings.
My Opinion
Before taking this course, I thought all children enjoyed playing in the same way. But I discovered that each child experiences play differently. Their unique ways of having fun reveal a lot about their personalities, learning styles, and interests.
Knowing how to recognize these differences helps teachers create lessons that are more engaging and inclusive. It also helps to find creative ways to attract every child’s attention and make learning both fun and meaningful.
References
LEGO Foundation 2020, The Learning through Play Experience Tool: Zooming in on the Five Characteristics of Learning through Play, LEGO Fonden, Højmarksvej 8, DK-7190 Billund, viewed 4 October 2025.