Play-Based Learning, Effective Child Learning Method Optimizes Growing Flower

JAKARTA – Finland is known as one of the countries with the best education systems in the world. One of the secrets behind its success is the application of the play-based learning method, or playing-based learning.

This approach departs from a simple but deep understanding, playing is a natural way for children to learn. Through playing, children not only know the world around them, but also develop more balanced thinking, social interaction, and manage emotions.

In play-based learning, playing activities are not just entertainment, but an important part of the learning process. Children are invited to understand the concepts of science, language, social, and emotional through directed games that foster creativity, curiosity, and solutive thinking skills.

According to Rosdiana Setyaningrum, M.Psi., M.HPEd., psychologist and Center Director of the MS School & Wellbeing Center, the play-based learning method is much more effective in early childhood than conventional learning models that demand children to sit still and write from too young age.

“At the age of 0.5 years, what develops more dominant is the child’s right brain, not his left brain. The right brain is related to creativity, emotions, body language, intuition, and holistic way of thinking. Therefore, the best stimulation for this age is not by sitting and writing, but by moving, playing, and interacting, “explained Rosdiana at the opening of the Menteng HEI Schools, Jakarta, recently.

Play-based learning supports children to learn through sensory experiences, which they can explore many things by touching, moving, experimenting, to imagination.

On the other hand, when young children are forced to learn to use academic methods that require the focus of the left brain such as writing, memorizing, or sitting still for a long time, their natural development can be disrupted.

“Imagine that a three-year-old child is asked to sit for a long time to write letters. What is stimulated is his left brain, even though at that age it is the right brain that should be optimized. As a result, it can vary, emotional regulations are not good, anxiety, overthinking, fear of being wrong, and being too perfectionist in seeing something,” said Rosdiana.

This condition occurs because the left brain focuses on logic and detail, while the right brain plays a role in controlling emotions, empathy, and creativity. When stimulation is unbalanced, children may grow up to be “smart academically” individuals but less mature emotionally to other aspects.

Finland has proven learning through playing to produce children who are not only superior in academics, but also happy, independent, and emotionally stable. Children there are not taught to read and write formally before the age of seven, but they grow up to be enthusiastic and adaptive learners.

“When children feel safe and happy, the part of the brain responsible for thinking, namely the prefrontal cortex, will function optimally. Playing provides that sense of security. Children can manage, explore, and learn without pressure,” said Rosdiana.

Play-based learning also helps children develop important social skills such as cooperation, empathy, sharing skills, and communication. In the playing process, children learn to recognize emotions in themselves and others, understand social rules, and find solutions through real experiences.

The child’s learning method should be adjusted to the brain’s development naturally. Through the play-based learning method, at least there are some stimulations given to children.

Arthalia Larsen, Co-Founder & School Director of HEI Schools Indonesia said, HEI Schools not only applies the concept, but also adapts research and the best practices of the Finnish education system.

“We believe that one of the best ways to grow learners throughout life is to ensure that children enjoy the learning process according to its development stages. We strive for every routine and interaction to have a deep learning value,” explained Arthalia.

Since its establishment in 2020, HEI Schools Senayan has produced graduates who are able to adapt to various curricula, both national, national plus, and international, such as Cambridge and IB.

Some aspects are at the core of effective learning methods for children that include optimizing curiosity and creativity, learning a sustainable lifestyle, students are directed to always actively participate, learn from anything and anytime, to build trust in each other.

Curiosity and hone creativity

In The HEI Way, curiosity and creativity are the main foundations. Children are encouraged to experiment, ask questions, and try new things without fear of error.

Arthalia emphasized the importance of teachers giving space to making mistakes. When children are allowed to make mistakes, they learn to try again, think about solutions, and find new ways.

“This is where creativity grows not from perfect results, but from repeated exploration processes,” said Arthalia.

Learning can be anywhere and anytime

One of the most interesting things about this approach is the idea of learning not only occurs in classrooms. Arthalia describes how teachers see everyday moments as an opportunity to learn.

Arthalia said, one day, for example, teachers pay attention to the poor air quality outside. The children asked why the sky looked gloomy, and the teacher used the moment to explain about air pollution.

The children were then invited to compare the air inside and outside the room, draw what they saw, and even make small posters about the importance of clean air.

“Learning does not always have to be in the classroom. Sometimes the best moments actually come from things we meet every day,” he explained.

In an approach like this, learning becomes relevant and contextually children understand the world not from books, but from real experiences around them.

Live a sustainable life and active engagement

In addition to curiosity, the value of sustainability is also instilled from an early age. Children are invited to know a simple concept about protecting the earth through daily activities of sorting waste, watering plants, or using adequate water. In this way, they learn that small actions have a big impact.

Building a culture of trust

Culture of trust can be the breath of this whole process. Teachers become figures who not only teach, but also give a sense of security to become trustworthy figures. Including when children feel they fail, leave an item in class or even be willing not to be accompanied by a parent or caregiver when school starts.

In ways like this, children can feel every step is safe, because if the child feels emotionally and psychologically safe, then the learning method will be easier to absorb.

Actively Participating

Children are given the freedom to explore curiosity and give space to experiment. Of course, all these processes are carried out with empathetic guidance from the teachers.

In this case, introducing the play-based learning philosophy to the public, HEI Schools SPM Menteng will hold the HEI Little Explorer’s Market Day event on Saturday, November 15, 2025. This family event presents various collaborative creative and pop-up class activities, such as: Picknic Art Studio, Deqebon Cacao, to SANA Kith & Kin.

Carrying the theme The City Explorer’, this activity invites children to explore the world around through games, art, and stories in line with the HEI Schools philosophy that children learn the best through an experience full of joy.

Parents can register their children to take part in this Pop-Up Class through the official HEI Schools SPM Menteng contact or the HEI Schools Indonesia social media page.

With the opening of his new campus in Menteng, HEI Schools Indonesia is further strengthening its commitment to building a generation of curiosity, empathy, and love for the learning process. More than just schooling, HEI Schools is a community that grows up with children, teachers, and parents learning and developing in the spirit of The HEI Way.

The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language.
(system supported by DigitalSiber.id)