Ideas worth spreading

How play helps a kid's brain grow

1,002,651 views | Jesse Ilhardt • TEDxWrigleyville

A little bit of playtime can have big benefits for a child's developing brain, like a superfood -- but adult participation is a crucial ingredient for best results. Early-education leader Jesse Ilhardt makes the case for you to put down the phone, pick up the make-believe tea cup (or that blanket-superhero cape) and take the time to experiment with imagination during kids' most formative learning years.

A little bit of playtime can have big benefits for a child's developing brain, like a superfood -- but adult participation is a crucial ingredient for best results. Early-education leader Jesse Ilhardt makes the case for you to put down the phone, pick up the make-believe tea cup (or that blanket-superhero cape) and take the time to experiment with imagination during kids' most formative learning years.

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxWrigleyville, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.

Learn loads of ways that you can play — at home or school — with children of all ages.

Donate to VOCEL to help bring play into more homes, schools and communities.

About the speaker

Jesse Ilhardt

Early-education leader

See speaker profile

As an early-education leader and mother of two, Jesse Ilhardt dreams of a world where all children grow and learn in the context of play and nurturing relationships.

Ijumaa Jordan | Young Children, Summer 2022 | Article

“Both/And: Early Childhood Education Needs Both Play and Equity”

Jordan raises the critical point that in our advocacy for play-based learning, we must acknowledge the massive play disparity among racial and socioeconomic groups. Examples from her career in early education illustrate that even access to play is impacted by classism and racism.

The LEGO Foundation | Explore

Why Play?

Committed to systemic change that makes play a priority for every child around the world, The LEGO Foundation offers a wealth of evidence-based resources including a robust library of play activities, and a compelling and concise description of why children learn best through play to guide change at a micro- and macro-level.

| Explore

Vroom

Rooted in their belief that talking and playing are key to healthy brain development, Vroom provides “science-based tips and tools to inspire families to turn shared, everyday moments in Brain Building Moments®.” All of the tips and activities are free and available via text, or from their app and website.

Alix Spiegel | NPR, Morning Edition, WBEZ Chicago, 2008 | Listen

“Old-Fashioned Play Builds Serious Skills”

This thought-provoking piece illustrates that the decline of play in early childhood is nothing new, and explores how play changed throughout the 20th century, the contributing forces, and the impacts on children’s development.

Jackie Mader | The Hechinger Report, 2022 | Article

"Want resilient and well-adjusted kids? Let them play."

This reporting goes a step deeper to explore the “often overlooked and deeply consequential role of play in child development,” sharing some of the science behind play-based learning and the obstacles to play in homes and schools today.

About TEDx

TEDx was created in the spirit of TED's mission, "ideas worth spreading." It supports independent organizers who want to create a TED-like event in their own community.

Find a TEDx event near you

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxWrigleyville, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.

Learn loads of ways that you can play — at home or school — with children of all ages.

Donate to VOCEL to help bring play into more homes, schools and communities.