As educators and adults, we often forget the importance of play (doing) and playfulness (being), even though, for children, it’s the very foundation of how they learn. Play isn’t just an activity; it’s an attitude of lightness that fosters joy, safety, connection, and deep learning. An attitude of lightness in the impermanent and interconnected reality of life.
Have you ever seen children play? Completely immersed in taking apart each piece of a toy car, they are keen and curious—ready to experiment, make mistakes, and learn from them. At that moment, they are not worried about whether they will succeed in rebuilding the car or be judged by others. They are simply present—in a state of uninhibited joy and exploration.
Yet, we often shun play and playfulness as something unproductive in our day-to-day lives—something frivolous or even counterproductive to our growth. “I will not be taken seriously if I’m light & playful” goes the self-judging mind. “I need to be in control; trusting others is risky. If I keep sharing my vulnerability, I will be seen as weak,” whispers the part of us that fears being seen. “This is serious work, I need to meet the deadline”, says the outcome-focused mind—forgetting to enjoy the process, and in doing so, missing the delights of the present moment.
Perhaps it’s time to rethink this false duality between play and work. Can play be synonymous with learning? Can playfulness actually help us become better leaders?
In our work with educational leaders at Creatnet Education, we see how this shift is possible. Leaders practice facilitation within small communities of fellow educators. Together, they engage in mindfulness—learning to be authentic and present to what they and others are bringing up in the moment. This requires deep listening: the ability to hear what might be uncomfortable and be open to learning, change, and growth.
Facilitators in these spaces are not positional authorities; they are accepted by their peers because of their ability to connect, trust, motivate, and let go of control. In letting go of what they know, of their need for attention, power, and certainty—they create space for true learning to emerge. They build environments of psychological safety, joy and collective inquiry. This is non-positional leadership—leadership that embodies lightness.
I believe that true education calls for us to embody an attitude of playfulness—to let go, to trust, to be kind, to be fully present so that we, and those around us, may flower into who we truly are.
Can we let go of a standardised curriculum and instead co-create based on our learners’ context? Can we ask: What is our inquiry? What do we need to learn? Can we release the grip of fixed pedagogies and adapt to what our group truly needs at each moment? Can we rethink standardised assessments—recognising that each learner is unique in what they will synthesise and how they grow?
When we hold anything tightly (ideas, people, emotions, desires), it starts to hurt. Playfulness invites us to hold everything lightly, a little loosely perhaps – so that we can grow, change, learn and experience the inherent joy within, that life gratefully offers in its ebbs and flows.
…So how might you begin to rekindle play and playfulness in your life?
✍️ About the Author
Mohita Jaiswal, Research and Design Lead, Creatnet Education
Mohita Jaiswal is an education enthusiast dedicated to creating holistic learning experiences that foster sensitivity and consciousness. With a master’s degree in chemical engineering from IIT Delhi, she brings over a decade of diverse professional experience spanning research and design, leadership development, big data, and arts in education.
Her interests lie at the intersection of psychology, Indian knowledge systems, and consciousness studies, reflecting her commitment to integrating these disciplines into educational frameworks. A lifelong student of music and nature, Mohita embraces learning as a continuous journey of growth and discovery.
Currently based in Delhi, Mohita leads research and program design at Creatnet Education, driving innovative approaches to education that inspire meaningful change. Rooted in her Lucknow heritage, her work reflects a deep passion for fostering holistic development and cultivating enriched learning environments for communities.
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