Links and Further Reading

Research & Evidence

Explore landmark studies and organizations that have shaped the understanding of play-based learning.

• HighScope Perry Preschool Project
• Gesell Program in Early Childhood, Yale University
• McCoy et al. (2016) Meta-Analysis
• Learning Policy Institute

Books & Articles

Recommended books and articles for educators, leaders, and parents seeking deeper insights into play-based learning and its impact.

• Yardsticks by Chip Wood
• Making Schools Work by Kathy Hirsh-Pasek
• Essential Questions by Jay McTighe & Grant Wiggins
• Making Learning Whole by David Perkins
• Creating Cultures of Thinking by Ron Ritchhart
• The Power of Play by David Elkind
• A Mandate for Playful Learning in Preschool by Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, Laura E. Berk, and Dorothy Singer

Exemplary Schools & Programs

See how schools across the country have embraced play and inquiry-based learning as part of their core pedagogy.

• Prospect Hill Academy, Somerville, MA
• The Odyssey School, Baltimore, MD
• High Tech Elementary, San Diego, CA
• Bank Street School for Children, NYC

Tools for Educators

Practical resources and organizations that provide guidance, tools, and inspiration for bringing play into your classroom.

• Edutopia: Play-Based Learning Resources
• NAEYC: Learning Through Play
• Harvard Project Zero

Next Steps

Play-based learning is a global movement, supported by decades of research and thousands of practitioners. These links can help you deepen your knowledge and stay connected with a community of educators.