Sheetal Singh, the Head of Kindergarten at British School Jakarta (BSJ), discussed how play-based learning from an early age can positively shape a child’s creativity, resilience, and future academic success.
To quote Albert Einstein, “Play is the highest form of research.”
This remark, on a deeper, more scientific level, suggests that unstructured exploration through play is more fundamental for a child’s deep learning than one might be able to imagine. Playing is never a trivial activity, as every playful moment—with the right direction and proper guidance—can turn into a vital scientific investigation into the child’s self. In the long run, such self-investigation can help the child develop problem-solving skills, as well.
In reality, however, very few schools—such as the British School Jakarta (BSJ) Kindergarten—truly understand the fundamental importance of playing as a means of fundamental education for younger children. Hence, families looking for an international kindergarten in Jakarta may find BSJ Kindergarten a genuinely ideal place for their younger children to play and grow. Play-based learning can do wonders for a child’s future, and BSJ Kindergarten’s success has become living proof of it.
Connecting knowledge with experience
Play-based learning can nurture deep, transferable thinking skills in a way that structured approaches often cannot. When children play, they are constantly practising problem-solving skills, negotiating roles, making decisions, and testing hypotheses.
“For example, in a block-building activity, a child isn’t just stacking; they’re exploring balance, symmetry, and cause-and-effect. These experiences build the foundation for later abstract thinking in mathematics and science,” Sheetal Singh, the Head of BSJ Kindergarten, told Indonesia Expat. “Structured learning has its place, but in early childhood, cognitive development flourishes when children can connect new knowledge to real, meaningful experiences.”
At BSJ Kindergarten, the play-based curriculum creates a nurturing and stimulating environment for children—especially those aged 2 to 5—while promoting holistic growth through exploration and discovery. Following the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, the curriculum enables children to progress at their own pace and cater to their individual needs.
Additionally, unlike other early learning philosophies such as Montessori or Reggio Emilia, EYFS combines structured teaching with flexibility. Children are guided by clear learning goals, but encouraged to reach them through exploration and play.
Singh has witnessed firsthand the effectiveness, as well as the palpable impact, of play-based learning.
“I recall a child who was fascinated by pouring water in our outdoor play area,” she divulged. “Over several days, she began experimenting with different containers, noticing how volume and flow changed. Without direct instruction, she discovered that a tall, narrow cylinder held more than a wide, shallow bowl—an early understanding of capacity and measurement.”
Such discovery, however, might not have necessarily happened in a traditional learning format—for example, in a traditional, worksheet-based maths lesson.
“Because it came from [the child’s] own curiosity—the learning was deep, meaningful, and retained,” Singh observed. “It also sparked conversations with peers, adding a social dimension to her mathematical thinking [as well].”
The ‘most meaningful’ learning
And of course, playing is not necessarily restricted to an indoor setting. BSJ Kindergarten also encourages its young students to embrace the great outdoors and cultivate their curiosity about nature. That said, one should never mistake outdoor play with simply getting dirty and indulging in reckless behaviours.
“Nature is the ultimate classroom,” Singh asserted. “It invites children to explore textures, patterns, life cycles, and physical challenges. Climbing a tree or balancing on a log nurtures curiosity, teaches risk assessment, resilience, and confidence as much as it does motor skills.”
Play-based learning, despite its proven results, is nothing without having both the educators and the children’s parents on the same page, first and foremost. Singh also acknowledged how the “common concern, especially among parents who equate ‘real learning’ with worksheets or early reading drills, is nothing new.
That said, there have been several initiatives by BSJ Kindergarten to address such concerns. For instance, the school would plan monthly “Stay and Play” sessions where parents join their children in the kindergarten unit to see firsthand the learning embedded in play. Another example: BSJ Kindergarten would send weekly observations of authentic experiences linked to the EYFS curriculum, publish a weekly blog with snapshots of play-based activities, and hold regular workshops for parents to deepen their understanding of the school’s pedagogy.
“Once parents see this transparency and the richness of learning that occurs through play, their concerns often shift to curiosity and appreciation,” Singh observed. “When parents see maths, literacy, and problem-solving happening through play, they realise it is ‘real’ learning—and the most meaningful kind.”
Preparation for life
BSJ Kindergarten stands out among other kindergartens in Jakarta thanks to its philosophy, environment, and community. The school embraces play-based, inquiry-driven learning that respects the child as an active, agentic inquirer. Its campus environment features expansive outdoor spaces, purposefully designed classrooms, and even a dedicated area that fosters water exploration for its students. Furthermore, students from all kindergarten levels have the same opportunities to access continuous provision areas together, creating opportunities for peer learning and collaboration across age groups.
“At BSJ, joy and rigour go hand in hand; our children are prepared for tomorrow because they love learning today,” Singh remarked.
Moreover, according to Singh, the environment of BSJ Kindergarten is carefully curated to function as a “third teacher.” Materials are open-ended, accessible, and rotated to spark curiosity. In addition, the school places a strong emphasis on loose parts—not only to stress sustainability but also to show children how one material can be used in multiple ways. This emphasis, as a result, encourages both flexible thinking and creativity among the students.
Meanwhile, the daily schedule at BSJ Kindergarten is carefully structured to provide a balanced rhythm of uninterrupted exploration time, small-group sessions, and whole-group routines.
“This rhythm ensures children feel secure yet free to make choices, directing their learning in meaningful and authentic ways,” Singh enthused.
When everything is taken into account, high-quality early years education indeed sets the stage for lifelong success. Academically, it develops strong pre-literacy and numeracy foundations. Socially, children learn to collaborate, resolve conflicts, and communicate effectively. Emotionally—last but not least—they gain confidence, independence, and the ability to regulate their feelings.
“Long-term studies show that children who attend quality early years programmes are more likely to succeed academically, demonstrate resilience, and adapt to challenges later in life. At BSJ, we view early childhood as not just preparation for school, but preparation for life,” Singh concluded.
