Play for Adults: Play-Based Approaches in Teacher Training

Although play exemplifies one of the highest forms of experiential learning and canfoster creativity and innovation in adults, it is less frequently used explicitly in adulttraining. This short article explores a play-based approach to enhance teachers’confidence in using play-based pedagogy through a case study on the Continuumof Teacher Training (COTT), Right To Play International’s in-service teachertraining programme. The CoTT is a 21-day programme, which is contextualizedand delivered in 16 countries. It integrates play-based learning methods intoteaching practice while aligning with local curriculum and infusing academiccontent with social-emotional skills development. The article concludes withpreliminary insights on the impact of the model on children’s social-emotionallearning and academic achievement and argues for the critical importance of playfor adults to support intergenerational relationships and quality play-basedapproaches.