Work Needs Play

Many Montessorians uphold the belief that, for children, work is preferable to play, and that play, especially fantasy play, is antithetical to work. In recent years, children have experienced disruption to their social and emotional development as a result of COVID-19 lockdowns. Recent research suggests that play in a variety of forms is a natural antidote to this dysregulation. In this article, the author reviews Montessori positions on play, look at research on the effects of social isolation, and advance the premise that "work needs play": Children need to both work and play.