Keeping Play in the Picture: Imagination and Learning in Early Education

Play is more than just fun - it’s a key driver of creativity, problem-solving and social connection in early learning. Yet as children progress through school, opportunities for play often shrink - taking with them an essential part of how students learn, reason and make sense of the world.

In this episode, early years researcher Dr Leigh Disney, and teacher and PhD Candidate Hong Chen share practical, developmentally appropriate strategies for keeping play alive across year levels. From imaginative play corners to structured problem-solving, they explore how teachers can balance curriculum demands with creativity - and why it’s so important in supporting literacy, numeracy, identity and emotional growth. 

At a time when adaptability, creativity and critical thinking are increasingly vital in our rapidly changing world, play remains one of the most powerful tools teachers can use to prepare students for the future. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why play-based learning supports academic and emotional growth. 
• How play changes across developmental stages—and why it still matters.
• What imaginative learning looks like in real classrooms.
• Strategies for embedding play without compromising curriculum goals.
• Why play can help students build identity, agency and connection. 

Topics we explore:

(00:00) Introduction to Play in Learning 
(02:09) What Is Play?
(04:17) Imaginative Play in Early Childhood
(06:17) Linking Play to Learning
(09:06) Play to Support Learning from Kindergarten to School
(14:40) Conceptual Play Worlds and Problem Solving
(17:08) Collective Play and Building Connection
(19:07) Fostering Imagination in Play Over the Years
(21:45) Chaos and Problem Solving in Imaginative Play 
(25:04) Imagination in Upper Primary
(26:55) Where Teachers Can Start with Play
(30:00) Balancing Curriculum and Play
(31:45) Final Thoughts on Purposeful Play

Resources: 

• Conceptual PlayWorlds
  An evidence-based model developed by Professor Marilyn Fleer for embedding imagination and inquiry-based learning into early years education.
• Monash Education Course Options
  Learn more about postgraduate study options in early years and primary education.

Special Guests: 

Dr Leigh Disney
Early Years Lecturer, School of Educational Psychology & Counselling
Faculty of Education, Monash University
Connect with Leigh on LinkedIn

Hong Chen
PhD Candidate & Early Childhood Teacher
Connect with Hong on LinkedIn, Instagram and X

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If you’re interested in hearing more about the short courses, undergraduate and postgraduate study options that Monash Education offers, please visit our website.

We are grateful for the support of Monash University’s Faculty of Education in producing this podcast.