In recent years, states throughout the U.S. have started mandating the incorporation of playful learning in public schools. However, translating policy into practice remains a significant challenge. Researchers from the Active Playful Learning (APL) project highlight how their one-on-one coaching program supports teachers in implementing small, sustainable pedagogical shifts that foster playful and meaningful learning environments. Grounded in a three-part framework, APL emphasizes student agency to help children develop crucial 21st-century competencies. Using real coach examples, they show how APL is laying the groundwork in four U.S. states to bring playful learning to scale in diverse educational contexts.
Scott et al. (Sun,) studied this question.