Play: The ultimate in "non-linear" learning
Recently I had the pleasure of joining one of the 8ways sessions that we have been running with Worimi/Biripi man Uncle Wayne Anderson, and WOW. The discussions we had we rich and thought provoking, and it was when we were exploring the concept of learning being non-linear, that I had a lightbulb moment. Play is the ultimate in non-linear learning!
Okay, if you are reading this and thinking "what on earth is she talking about?!" let me provide a little back story.
The 8ways is "a pedagogy framework that allows teachers to include Aboriginal perspectives by using Aboriginal learning techniques. In this way, focus can remain on core curriculum content while embedding Aboriginal perspectives in every lesson. It came from a research project involving DET staff, James Cook University’s School of Indigenous Studies and the Western New South Wales Regional Aboriginal Education Team between 2007 and 2009." (www.8ways.online)
Over the last few years we have been exploring the 8ways under the guidance of Uncle Wayne, a passionate, insightful and experienced teacher. Hundreds of educators have joined us for live zoom sessions and we've woven the ideas through our Reflective Journals.
An insight into non-linear learning
So, back to my lightbulb moment. As we talked about the concept of learning being non-linear - it jumps around, we gather pieces of information, we gather skills, we test things and then retest them, we build on knowledge - Uncle Wayne asked us for examples of non-linear learning and for me it was suddenly very clear - play, at it's very core, is non-linear learning.
And I don't mean "play based learning" - I mean raw, unfiltered, led by children play. I mean play in the way that the wonderful Peter Gray talks about play.
When children play, they build knowledge, they develop skills, they collect ideas and ways of doing and being. These things aren't taught, and yet they are learned. Through the repetition of play. Through the freedom to explore and experiment. Through creative working and reworking. Through joyous connection with others.
The knowledge, skills and ideas that children develop through play are quite often stored away in some sort of mental filing cabinet, and later - perhaps hours or days or weeks later - they might be bought back out and added to, or shared, or revisited. That's pretty amazing right?!
Protecting play
The recognition of play as learning is vital. Think about inventors, or scientists. They play with ideas and concepts, trialling and no doubt making a whole bunch of errors. This experimentation is play and it leads to incredible insights, technology, medical breakthroughs and more. The same is happening when children are playing. Sure, they might not be making a medical breakthrough (yet) but they are building and collecting knowledge and skills and ideas... and that's pretty amazing right?
As my Inspired EC Co-founder and all round awesome human Tash Treveton says "Anyone engaging with children should prioritise, in their role, themselves as protectors of play. Play is priority."
Want to know more about the 8ways?
- Check out our 8ways online training with Uncle Wayne Anderson
- Check out our 2025 Reflective Journals which have a monthly 8ways exploration included