What Happens When ‘Play’ Is Left Out of the School Curriculum

Sometimes, the best lessons aren’t in the plan. When two birds turned a high school classroom into an impromptu aviary, the chaos seemed like just another exhausting day. But the unstructured time that followed—a break from the grind of curriculum—revealed something profound. Students played clapping games, connected with each other, and rediscovered the joy of being present.
This experience raises a question: What if moments of play and trust aren’t distractions but essential parts of learning? Sometimes, letting go gives students—and teachers—a chance to soar. If the introduction peaks your curiosity, you might enjoy this article by Fatema Elbakoury writing for EdSurge.