As Kristine Mraz notes in Purposeful Play: A Teacher’s Guide to Igniting Deep and Joyful Learning Across the Day, “Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being of children and youth.”

In celebration of Global School Play Day, Ginther School dedicated February 4, 2026, to engaging, play-based learning experiences that emphasized the vital role play has in education. 

Throughout the day, students took part in a variety of purposeful play activities that fostered creativity, problem-solving, collaboration and joyful learning. While this day highlighted the power of play, Ginther teachers intentionally integrate purposeful play into everyday instruction. Embedded within the school’s curriculum, instruction and assessment practices, purposeful play remains a cornerstone of how Ginther students learn, grow and thrive.