What if assessments could evoke joy rather than anxiety? What if they could spark creativity instead of fear? These were some of the intriguing questions explored in a Masterclass led by Aditya and Trupti from the Opentree Foundation. For the past 20 years, they’ve been advocating for play as a transformative force in children’s lives. Their latest endeavor? Using play as a lens to rethink assessments.
A Play-Centric Philosophy
At the heart of their philosophy is the belief that play isn’t just an activity; it’s a powerful tool for cognitive, social-emotional, and mental well-being. When thoughtfully designed, play can cultivate key life skills that help children thrive and grow into well-rounded adults. Recognizing this, the Opentree Foundation has reimagined the way they assess children in their play-centric programs. They decided that traditional assessment methods simply wouldn’t suffice. Instead, they developed a framework rooted in the essence of play.
The result? A fresh approach to assessment—one that doesn’t just measure outcomes but also fosters creativity, critical thinking, and joy in the process.
Cultivating Observation Skills
During the session, the facilitators emphasized the importance of honing observation skills to assess specific aspects of children’s development. This requires educators to adopt a play-based lens and dedicate time and patience to observe how children interact, think, and create during play. As one participant noted, the challenge lies in shifting mindsets, particularly among teachers, to embrace play as a valid and meaningful mode of assessment.
A Playful Start
The session began with a simple but engaging game: participants were asked to gather as many objects around them as possible, each with a distinct shape, within 30 seconds. The enthusiasm was palpable as people scrambled to find cylindrical pens, triangular calendars, and cube-shaped chocolates.
Afterward, the facilitators asked participants to reflect: Did the game bring them joy? Did it make them think independently, explore their surroundings, or apply their knowledge of shapes? The unanimous answer was a resounding yes.
The Emotional Contrast of Assessments
Participants were then invited to contrast this experience with traditional assessments. Words like “stress,” “anxiety,” and “fear” dominated the conversation. The exercise underscored the transformative potential of play in reducing the negative emotions often associated with conventional evaluations.
What Can Play Teach Us?
A key discussion point was the question: What can you assess through play? Participants were encouraged to think back to their own childhood play experiences and consider the skills that could be observed—be it problem-solving, collaboration, or creativity. Examples ranged from stacking blocks, which could reveal spatial awareness and planning, to games like Monopoly, which highlighted decision-making, negotiation, and strategic thinking.
Addressing Challenges
The facilitators acknowledged that implementing play-based assessments at scale poses challenges, particularly in changing entrenched mindsets. Teachers need to be equipped with the skills and belief systems required to effectively observe and assess play. There was also a discussion on the potential for using play-based methods to assess personal, social, and emotional development—areas that traditional assessments often overlook. The importance of clear indicators to guide observations was emphasized, along with the value of free play as a way to naturally observe behaviors and interactions.
The Essence of Play
The session concluded with a thought-provoking video showcasing children left in a room with just sheets of paper. In the absence of instructions, the children’s innate creativity took over. They built houses, goalposts, and countless other imaginative structures. The facilitators pointed out key traits of play: it’s familiar, iterative, open-ended, empowering, explorative, flexible, and interactive.
Imagine assessments that embody these qualities. What if, instead of rote memorization, children could demonstrate their knowledge through creativity and collaboration?
Rethinking the Future
This masterclass was more than a session—it was an invitation to rethink how we view learning and evaluation. By integrating play into assessments, educators can create experiences that are not only effective but also joyful and humane. The question isn’t just how children learn but how they thrive. Perhaps the answer lies in rediscovering the transformative power of play.
Closing Reflections
In the words of the facilitators, “It’s the lens through which you assess that makes the biggest difference.” Adopting a play-based lens opens up opportunities to observe growth and learning in ways that traditional assessments can’t. As educators and parents, we are invited to explore how we can use play to better understand and support children’s development.
This session was a reminder that play isn’t just about fun—it’s a profound way to nurture potential and rethink the future of education.
Watch the full Masterclass session on Bachpan Manao’s YouTube Channel.
