Ask yourself...
Are Neurodivergents Falling Behind?
Retention Rate
Neurodivergent students are twice as likely to be retained a grade compared to neurotypical peers.
"Grade Retention and Students with Disabilities" (Council for Exceptional Children). Link to Study.
Lower Employment
Neurodivergents with have an employment rate of 46% vs 71% for neurotypicals.
"The State of Learning Disabilities: Employment" (National Center for Learning Disabilities). Link to Study.
Bullying Victimization
Neurodivergent students are more likely to experience bullying compared to their peers.
"Bullying and Students with Disabilities" (Pacer's National Bullying Prevention Center). Link to Study.
What does the data say?
Trends Show a Sobering Story
Less Time for Play
Children lost valuable play time over the last 20 years, whereas time spent in structured sports doubled, and passive leisure increased five-fold.
"The Decline of Play and Rise in Children's Mental Disorders" (American Journal of Play). Link to Study.
Increase in ADHD
The prevalence of diagnosed ADHD in US children and adolescents increased from about 6% in 1997-1998 to approximately 10% in 2015-2016, representing roughly a 67% increase over this 20-year period.
"Twenty-Year Trends in Diagnosed Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder" (National Health Interview Survey). Link to Study.
Here's a Wild Idea
Picture this...
A group of children huddled around a cardboard box, their eyes alight with excitement. To an adult passerby, it may look like they're playing with trash. But watch closely, and you'll see something remarkable unfolding. The box transforms into a spaceship, then a submarine, then a time machine. The kids negotiate roles, solve crises, build ships, and create intricate narratives. What looks like simple fun is actually a complex learning process that activates neuron connections in the prefrontal cortex, impacting emotional regulation and problem-solving abilities. Play is nature's own brain-training program.
Did you know...
Play-Based Learning is the
Biggest Catalyst for Success
The garage tinkerers, the tree climbers, the mud-pie makers of today could be the world-changing geniuses of tomorrow—if only we give them the space to play, explore, and dream.
Cognitive Boost
Play-based learning improves cognitive development by 20% in early childhood.
"Play-based learning in early childhood education" (Frontiers in Psychology). Link to study.
Engagement Explosion
Collaborative, play-based learning can increase student engagement by up to 50%.
"Collaborative Learning: Theory, Strategies, and Educational Benefits" (Educational Psychology Review). Link to study.
Better Outcomes
Personalized learning models that incorporate play improve academic outcomes by 25%.
"Personalized Learning in K-12 Education" (Educational Technology Research and Development). Link to study.
Hi–I'm Kelly Hutcheson.
I help parents and educators raise the next generation of innovators, because in a world crying out for fresh ideas, standardization isn't just boring—it's educational malpractice.
How does it work?
Risk, Solve, Rewire
RISK
Allow for Risk
In play, children learn to navigate uncertainty and embrace challenges, developing resilience that no textbook can teach. Are you brave enough to let your child take risks, or will you bubble-wrap their potential?
SOLVE
Create Problem-Solvers
Play throws curveballs that no multiple-choice question can match, forcing children to think creatively and adapt on the fly. Are you preparing your child for tests, or for life's real challenges?
REWIRE
Stabilize Brain Chemistry
Every laugh, every discovery during play floods your child's brain with dopamine and endorphins, literally rewiring their brain for learning and innovation. Why settle for rote memorization when you can offer a natural brain boost?
Testimonials
Millions of Parents are Embracing Play-Based Learning
Play 101
Basics of Learn Through Play
New to play-based education? Start here.
Tailored Resources
Discover How Fostering Play
Can Change Lives
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