Let the Children Play: How More Play Will Save Our Schools and Help Children Thrive

by Pasi Sahlberg, William Doyle

Play is how children explore, discover, fail, succeed, socialize, and flourish. It is a fundamental element of the human condition. It's the key to giving schoolchildren skills they need to succeed--skills like creativity, innovation, teamwork, focus, resilience, expressiveness, empathy, concentration, and executive function. Expert organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Centers for Disease Control agree that play and physical activity are critical foundations of childhood, academics, and future skills--yet politicians are destroying play in childhood education and replacing it with standardization, stress, and forcible physical restraint, which are damaging to learning and corrosive to society.

But this is not the case for hundreds of thousands of lucky children who are enjoying the power of play in schools in China, Texas, Oklahoma, Long Island, Scotland, and in the entire nation of Finland. In Let the Children Play , Pasi Sahlberg, Finnish educator and scholar, and Fulbright Scholar William Doyle make the case for helping schools and children thrive by unleashing the power of play and giving more physical and intellectual play to all schoolchildren.

In the course of writing this book, Sahlberg and Doyle traveled worldwide, reviewed over 700 research studies, and conducted interviews with over 50 of the world's leading authorities on education. Most intriguingly, Let the Children Play provides a glimpse into the play-based experiments ongoing now all over the world, from rural China, Singapore, and Scotland to North Texas and Oklahoma, as well as the promising results of these bold new approaches. Readers will find the book to be both a call for change and a guide for making that change happen in their own communities.

Genres: Education, Parenting, Nonfiction, Teaching, Plays, Research

468 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2019

Reviews

[Jennifer Mangler · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ideas in this book get a rating of 5, but the book itself gets a 2 from me, so I'll settle for a 3-star rating overall. The ideas presented are thought-provoking and backed up by evidence, and while I was reading it really made me excited about education in a way few books about education have been able to do. But my god, the repetition is insufferable and made me want to tear my hair out. In fact, it almost turned me off the book. That's not the way to convince people of your point! If the authors had a better structure, so the points weren't repeated in chapter after chapter, and it was about half its current length, I think it would get a lot more traction with parents and teachers (and policy makers, ideally).

[Yasin Denli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here is the basic layout: play is important, American kids don't play and American schools are horrible, Finnish schools are great and some promising research and some play initiatives. Though the layout was disappointing and cliché, still it was a good read.

[Morgan Galle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 ⭐ due to some serious redundancy of information in the middle of the book, but 5⭐ for thought-provoking, highly-compelling information on the needs of children and the nature of schools today. Overall: 4 ⭐

The last three chapters of this book in particular are worth reading for the sake of finding hopeful ways to improve our own education system. My kids ended up listening to parts of this book and heard the examples of other schools around the world and asked "mom, is that real? Do some kids really go to schools like that?" They couldn't believe it. And my kids love school already, but it made me realize how much more they could love it.

This book made me imagine what it could be like if all kids came to school excited, not only because it was their safe place, or because they got to see their friends, or they knew we had food, but also because they knew the learning they were going to do would be geared toward their needs, that it would be heavily play-based and geared toward their interests. I highly recommend this to all educators as a much-needed reality check on our current practices and guidance on how we can build a better future for us and our students.

[Jamie Schenk · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I read a book like this, I simultaneously feel like a great teacher and a horrible one. It's so confusing.

Some of the ideas feel so privileged... "children should spent time with their families, playing games, making dinner together, and sitting on the couch reading bookes joyfully, instead of laboring over homework each night" I get the homework part, but to think that all children have access to "playing games" with their families or "making dinner together" or that they even all have a couch. There were many times I wondered if she had any idea what children with multiple ACES look like.

AND!

I agree with my whole heart our children need more unstructured free play time... to become more resilient, to learn to problem solve, to create, to synthesize their learning, to get to know each other and themselves. 100% on board, every classroom.

I also disagree that kindergarten children shouldn't learn to read. THEY CAN! I facilitate it each year. And they go outside to play everyday AND they have free play. I just feel like there CAN be a balance of some sort, which nobody seems to want to talk about. It's either jam all the academics at them or "they must play all day".

[gold]

This book is far too long for the point it tries to make. After a while, it gets seriously repetitive and redundant. I think it might've greatly benefitted from more economical writing and/or a more thorough editing. I agree with the point it makes but the writing style burries expert opinions under a ton of unnecessary passages that do nothing but repeat the same 2 pieces of information over and over again, ruins the humane side of the writers' personal experiences with out of place data, and leaves such little place for the voices it insists must be heard on this particular topic: children's. So it's well researched and includes a great deal of valuable information yet the writing styles leaves a lot to be desired.

[Samantha Baruzzini · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the premise of the book but was looking for more practical information. The book read very much as research, which is excellent to have but not something I would necessarily pick up to read again. I did really appreciate the global perspectives on learning and play as well as the comprehensive list of ways little old me could take action to speak up for “play” in my slice of life. This was toward the end of the book. Overall, has me really thinking a lot about how to even approach the day with my kids, let alone the decisions we’ll be making as a family about the kids’ education.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every school administrator should read this book.

[Streb-reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book on June 27 and June 28, 2023 a Tuesday and a Wednesday
This book was shocking. The statistics made me feel outrageous. People taking away play in resets for grades. Like a five-year-old or even a 10 year old cares where they go to university. Cares about taking so many extracurricular courses hoping one day in a decade they will get into would be in a prestigious university.
Have you ever seen those kids who only care about grades. Who value their own and entire self identity and self worse based upon the grades they get. How they are always stressed out because they don’t have time to play they don’t have time to run around and be a kid learn through mistakes and just be wild and free brother have to deal with school. Who will give up their hard earned the summers to do more schooling because they want to get it over with so they can work and get paid. How this is not just a few people randomly finding school really enjoyable but many people doing it because they feel forced to. Because that is what their parents expect and I don’t want to disappoint them and share the truth. If you have dealt with that or seeing people with that around you would you most likely have this book is for you.
This book is 720 pages and so it takes a really deep dive into this. How play structured and unstructured is important. How recess is something that’s really beneficial to students and cannot be taken away. How learning through mistakes is important and even if parents want to create a risk free environment so the child will never be hurt sometimes learning through mistakes is important. How play can be more beneficial than just a child having fun for a few minutes and creating really ridiculous games Razz we can help them emotionally. How physical education courses are important and so is recess and how each of the things are completely different. Play can teach kids to be leaders collaborate play by the rules and help them emotionally and mentally. Please not just a ridiculous thing kids do to waste time or to be goofballs and use their imagination rather something actually beneficial.
Personally I am not an education professor but rather someone who enjoys learning about education. What I love so much about the book was it written simple enough for me without the educational background knowledge to read it. To take lessons from it and be able to understand it. Call for action plans were not put in place which could be some feedback so that I even though I am not an educator or have children currently in the school system can make a difference but nonetheless I can’t complain about that.
My only real criticism without this book was way too long. The authors had a message which was very important but they could have shaved off a little bit and made it more impactful because it was less. Sometimes less is more and this is actually mentioned in the book in regards to high quality rated wall quality play and so I think the author should’ve taken into consideration when writing. I guess they want to fill the book with as much information as possible and I value that but again let’s can sometimes be more and providing higher quality statistics and repeating yourself words can be more when a reader is valuing the book. Just my opinion but for starters is really good and only one star was deducted flat. Also maybe I am too harsh ha ha.
Read this book. No matter if you are an educator a student a teacher a parent who ever you are and why ever you might have been drawn to this book read it. Do not worry about reading it from front to back but scan your live down it. I started reading it chronologically and then I skipped a little bit that didn’t interest me. That’s allowed me to actually take from the book and not have a headache and feel like it’s absolutely useless.
Finally I am blind and so take that into consideration when reading this review. I value there might be some mistakes and errors that you come across but hopefully you still found this review to be helpful and I hope you all have a great rest of your week.

[Ana Stanciu-Dumitrache · Rating 4 out of 5]

Am constatat, din nou, cu tristete, citind aceasta carte, ca suntem cu zeci de ani in urma in ceea ce priveste sistemul educational. Daca international apar tot mai multe studii si astfel de carti ce militeaza pentru schimbarea paradigmei educationale de la rigurozitate si standardizare catre flexibilitate, libertate si joaca pentru copiii, la noi in tara studiul realizat de noul ministru al educatiei ne arata ca avem o rata de 40% de analfabetism functional. Si alte voci din domeniul educatiei sustin ca ai nostri copii vin complet neechipati pentru scoala din gradinite, ca nu isi dezvolta skill-urile necesare si ulterior, cu un start greoi, in scoala nu reusesc sa atinga competentele dorite in materie de scris/citit/calculat. Si nu cred ca lipsa jocului liber e cauza. Daca la altii problema e presiunea de a performa, la noi e vorba de sub-performanta. Ne mai trebuie cred alti zeci de ani sa ajungem si noi pe o linie de plutire si abia apoi sa ne preocupam de ce se preocupa tari precum America acum. :)
In alta ordine de idei, da, educatia are nevoie de reforma la nivel global, caci nevoile copiilor si ale societatii s-au schimbat. Sa nu mai vorbim despre epidemia de anxietate cu care se confrunta noile generatii de copii si marea problema a ecranelor. Cred ca nu doar lipsa jocului liber ne-a adus aici, ci un cumul de factori: de la noile generatii de parinti elicopter, care isi supra protejeaza copiii in lumea reala, dar ii lasa in lumea virtuala fara control, pana la cerintele societatii moderne de la un adult de a munci 8-10 ore pe zi, ceea ce implica si pentru un copil (inca de la 2 ani) sa petreaca tot atatea ore intr-un spatiu standardizat, unde sa fie supravegheat, etc. Chiar daca termina scoala la 12, un copil merge la after sau alte activitati pana seara cand parintele, obosit si tracasat dupa o zi plina, il ia acasa si, in timp ce gateste sau are alte activitati de adult, il lasa la televizor. Aceasta e realitatea si e foarte greu de iesit din cercul acesta vicios.

[Lara Mckaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as the beginning step in research for my master's thesis. This is my off the cuff quick reflection after reading:

An in-depth look at the benefits of play in learning, especially in early childhood development, the reasoning behind unfortunate disappearance of quality play in many school systems, especially in the USA (a term that they coin - GERM), and global case studies of systems and programs that have successfully implemented play. They look at the culture of standardization as one that kills innovation and creativity and poses research-based alternatives. Sahlberg and Doyle use a large amount of source material from published pieces in peer-reviewed journals, the American Academy of Pediatrics report (2018), their own experience, and conversations with countless education experts. The book is an easy read that does not require a background in education theory and is a great resource for parents, teachers, policymakers, and youth advocates. It gives a great detailed look into the Finnish school system and their use of play and includes small vignettes of other schools and programs (Anji Play in China, Fuji Kindergarten in Tokyo) that are doing interesting things in early childhood education. The biggest impact that this book had on me and will impact my continued research is the inequality in play. The fact that minority, poor students do not have the same opportunities to play and the way that it impacts their development is substantial. How can I link play to peace and really focus on advocating for play through peace education? They go hand in hand. With all of the information out there about the positive impact of play on both social and academic development, it is baffling that more has not been done to further the inclusion of quality play in the education agenda.

[Zella · Rating 1 out of 5]

Important message. Hope to find it written by someone less unpleasant to read.

The authors seem to be very scornful of ADHD. I know this because they keep inserting un- or barely-related diatribes about it and then going back to their actual point without justifying themselves. Probably partially explained by the most egregious example where a psychiatrist suggested that one author's child might have ADHD and the author responded by dismissing and mocking them. We are clearly supposed to think that the suggestion is ridiculous but I suspect that the author and his family may be further to the edge of this particular bell curve than they think. Yes all children have an easier time focusing when they have the chance to run and move and get their wiggles out, but some of us struggle more with this than others (explicitly discussed a bit later! If only we had a word for such children -- and adults!). It can be hard with a spectrum-y disorder to realize that even though everyone is having the same problems as you do, most are having it to a much lesser degree, but it's still irresponsible to spread this message that ADHD doesn't need to be treated. Yes we should make the world friendlier for ADHD folks and a lot of that includes play and exercise, but it also includes not falsely telling kids that everyone has the same struggles as them. It includes giving them therapy and tools and, yes, even medication to help ensure that they do not get bullied by their peers or start fights because they are understimulated. The authors point out that doctors are experts and we should trust them when the doctors say kids need more play, but as soon as doctors say that specific kids have other struggles it seems that the authors have their own issues trusting them.

[Hawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is phenomenal. Very well researched and written with a plethora of real life examples and studies shared in a readable way despite being quite a tome. I will say I skipped sections and did not read it front to back, but if it weren’t a library book, I would’ve!

I personally homeschool my children and realize this is specifically oriented towards traditional education but I found it exceedingly encouraging in my homeschooling, as well. I think it is helpful that the book underscores just how fundamental play is to the child and honestly, all people of all ages… because as a culture (at least in America), we are prone to undervaluing and even dismissing the benefits of play.

I found it so compelling that I’m tempted to buy copies of it and distribute them to local principals at the public schools around us. Talking with staff at local public schools, I find that they corroborate that 15 mins of free play in kindergarten from 8-3 with entirely structured activity and workbooks the rest of the day is true and even they can see it’s hurting the kids. I hope that more play will be adopted in traditional schools but I do find the authors seem to be overly hopeful in thinking that it definitely will become dominant in schools in the near future. I’d love to be proven wrong and to see unstructured play, time outside and more open ended endeavors embraced in traditional education in America. I’d also love to go to Finland for like a six month stint and witness their much different schools system and way of life!

[Alexi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took a long time to finish the book after being assigned a few chapter for a Play class for a MEd. I love the idea of a book dedicated to play and 100% agree that a lack of play is to children’s detriment, in social, health, and mental aspects. There is no research to show that young children experience benefits with extended classroom time, especially sitting in desks. I appreciated their discussion on modern play programs in the US and their examination on why the Finnish school system works - especially the fact that many of the tenants were actually based on US research. During the class I successfully advocated for my own child’s school to increase their recess.

However, the writing style was way too extreme. Those of us who are convinced about play do not need to read chapters about childhood depression and obesity. I suspect those who are not convinced would roll their eyes at the propaganda. I wish this was a book I could recommend to school administration, teachers and parents, but the language is so intense and the book is so long that I cannot.

[Kirsten T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe I should give this a slightly lower review because of a few flaws- but I felt the subject too important.

Although slightly different in topics, I felt this went perfectly with "Last Child in the Woods" because "Let the Children Play" had all the research-based studies the first book was missing.

This made me rethink how I want to have my children schooled. I felt the studies were really important in showing how children thrive through play-and what does not help.

A bit repetitive and the audio book had a slightly monotone reader. But good stuff.

[Dmitri Colebatch · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is terrible. If the writing is an indication of how the important discussion of play in our schools is handled, it is no surprise that our kids are deprived their recess play.

I can summarize the book as:
1. Play is important
2. We say so
3. Here are lots and lots of other studies that say so

What's missing is any useful narrative expanding on the studies, and any useful actions that people can take.

[Yalman Onaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

A forceful reminder that kids learn best while playing on their own, with friends and without parents’ intervention. We need to leave lots of unstructured, unscheduled time in their lives so they can grow to be problem solvers the world needs. Also a strong reminder about the damage standardized testing is causing children around the world.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the message, but the authors repeated the point with more and more data. Which made me realize that the larger point is: look at the over 400 pages of data showing the benefits of play - why are we ignoring it?! I want to send this book to every principal and superintendent in the country!!

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Finnish educator, Pasi Sahlberg is a leading expert on childhood and education. Unfortunately, his book did not engross me and could have used a good editor. He makes some interesting points and I agree with his premise that modern children are not getting enough outdoor play time to the risk of their well being and development. Three stars for this reader.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

loaded with info but a bit too repetitive at times

I really did enjoy this book, but I felt that it could have been about 30-40 pages shorter if not for the amount of repetitive info given. I understand it hammers home the point(s), but eventually it can come across as desperate or lazy. Overall it is a well researched book that makes a compelling case.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars - I think this book is so important - for educators certainly, but also for anybody - play is so important and so often pushed aside, and this book highlights the benefits and the ways in which play is one of the best "educators" for a child to have.

[Katy Emanuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This books has a great message, however there is a great deal of repetition of the same point throughout the book. This books is in great need of proper editing as there are a great number of grammatical errors throughout the book including improper word usage.

[Nisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

They share great research and communicate the thesis clearly: kids need to play and we could transform schools through play. But the boom probably could have been half the length.

Still, a very worthwhile read for any educator or parent!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful in reminding me what I know is best for kids. I loved the research to help justify the shift I would like to make in my classroom to non - professionals.

[Darren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a riveting book, but a good reference source.

[Corrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt the point could have been made just as well in fewer pages, but overall a very well-researched and compelling book on the importance of play.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't give this book enough stars! It needs to be required reading for every parent, teacher, administrator & politician!

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would really like to give this book more stars because the data and info are phenomenal. That being said, it's a really dry and repetitive read.

[S. S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thoroughly researched and great premise of educating children through play. However, very repetitive and redundant which makes it a drag at times.

[Lauren Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Informative but repetitive.

[Raquel Stevenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book for the sited research on providing children the best enviroment to learn. I wish all grade school teachers and administrators would read this book.