Harvard Study: How Play Affects Learning

Can You Play To Learn?

They say Play is one of the most effective ways to learn. Is it? Why?

We often separate play and learn. But can they happen at the same?

There is an article from the Harvard Graduate School of Education: "Why Do Children Play?"

This thesis explores the differences between playing for fun and playing to win and how play affects learning. Let's find out why play is an absolute necessity in learning.

Background 

A study was conducted by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the University of California, Berkeley. They set up two outdoor games with children from 5 to 10 years old. The participants had choices to make the game easier or harder. The topic was: will they enjoy more when playing to win or playing for fun?

Experimental Setup

The experimental setup was simple:

1. Have the children play the same game but in two different ways.
2. Have them play to win → give them rewards for winning.
3. Have them play for fun → no rewards given.
4. Give them the available options: 

        - Difficulty levels

        - Silly costumes that did not affect the chances of winning

Results

• Kids playing to win chose an easier level. 
• Kids playing for fun chose a harder level. 
• Even when competing, some kids still wanted to have fun too.
• Kids preferences: 43% play for fun & 57% play to win.

Key Findings

Even a 5-year-old can detect that the difficulty modes affect the outcome of the game.

Kids were mostly driven by extrinsic motivation (rewards) when playing to win.

Kids were mostly driven by intrinsic motivation (feeling of accomplishment) when playing for fun.

Reflection

It's easy to understand that a reward for winning is motivating.

Kids chose harder levels when playing for fun. This is significant. The mystery of intrinsic motivation is revealed here. 

The harder levels require considering more factors and figuring out more complicated solutions. Curiosity is what makes kids want to take on the challenge. When there is curiosity, our brains ask for answers. This becomes an internal drive to resolve.

The curiosity is only resolved by learning. Learning to coordinate the factors and finding the perfect combination that works.

Learning is rewarding!!

Conclusion

Whether playing to win or for fun, play motivates kids. The motivation comes from both external and internal rewards. So, the answer to why children play is both for fun and to win. 

Play and learning are thought to be separate. In fact, play is a great starting point for learning. It's a powerful motivator. 

If kids realize learning is rewarding and enjoyable through playing, they will keep wanting to learn more and more. And that's why play is an absolute necessity when it comes to learning.