Excellence in Schools 95
The Permission Gap The findings point to an interesting contradiction. Parents understand the importance of play. They believe it contributes to wellbeing, connection and happiness. Yet many still struggle to prioritise it.
Kathryn Kelly, Assistant Head and PYP Coordinator at Swiss International Scientific School Dubai, reflects on what this means in practice, “In a culture increasingly driven by optimisation and measurable outcomes, play reminds us that curiosity, wellbeing, creativity and human connection are not distractions from success, they are foundations for it. One of the greatest misconceptions about play is that it sits outside of learning. In reality, play is how children learn best. “It’s through play that children build relationships, develop confidence, practise communication, solve problems and learn to navigate challenges. As educators, we see every day that children do not separate play from learning, creativity from achievement, or enjoyment from growth. Play is a vehicle for deep learning rather than something separate from it. Perhaps there is something adults can learn from that.”
The issue is not awareness. It is permission.
In a culture that celebrates achievement, productivity and constant self-improvement, many adults find it easier to make time for obligations than for joy. Our greatest battle appears to be handing ourselves the permission to simply switch off, play and enjoy ourselves. Our best example might be simply looking at our children. Stop Tracking. Start Playing. Perhaps the challenge facing modern adults isn’t learning how to play again. Perhaps it is remembering that we are allowed to. As the demands on our time continue to grow, play remains one of the few things we do simply because it enriches our lives. It helps us connect, recharge, imagine and create. And if there is one lesson children continue to teach us, it is that some of life’s most valuable moments are also the least measurable. Sometimes, the healthiest thing we can do is stop measuring and start enjoying.
NORD ANGLIA DUBAI
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