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The missing ingredient in how we learn

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1,235 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

Before the last few centuries, children around the world spent most of their time learning through play: observing and mimicking adults, roaming their surroundings, and sharing what they learned with friends and family. Many communities and educators still believe play is one of the best teachers we have. Explore the benefits and challenges of using self-directed play-based learning in schools.

Additional Resources for you to Explore

Friedrich Froebel was a German educator and kindergarten founder. The name "kindergarten" was intended to convey the idea of children growing as plants in a garden, freely and through play. For even earlier examples of early childhood education in ancient civilizations, read on here.

For more on play-based and student -led educational environments in use today, check out Montessori and Reggio Emilia.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

Script Writer
Iseult Gillespie
Director
Vicente Numpaque, Dr3i Studio
Narrator
Jack Cutmore-Scott
Composer
Salil Bhayani, cAMP Studio
Sound Designer
Anthony Nguyen, cAMP Studio
Storyboard Artist
Lautaro Goncalves
Animator
Daniela Varón, Alejandro Pinzón
Compositor
Daniela Varón
Art Director
Vicente Numpaque
Creative Producer
Hernando Bahamon
Ideation Story Artist
Freddy Fula
Illustrator
Daniel Hincapie
Produced by
Gerta Xhelo, Abdallah Ewis, Anna Bechtol
Editorial Director
Alex Rosenthal
Script Editor
Iseult Gillespie
Fact-Checker
Charles Wallace

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