By Khemetic Nation News Network | Education Desk | October 20, 2026
A recent Education Week video follows teachers at Coltrane-Webb STEM Elementary School in Concord, North Carolina, as they use play to reinforce early math and literacy instruction. In one example, a teacher brings counting practice into play by giving children ten objects to handle and sort.
Guided play and instruction
The video is part of Education Week’s early-childhood series. Educators interviewed for the piece describe play as a way for children to apply knowledge and practice skills. The publication also points to research comparing guided play with direct instruction, while the classroom video itself is an illustration of practice rather than a standalone evaluation of student outcomes.
The distinction matters: teachers still plan for learning goals, and the value of an approach depends on the activities, adult guidance and needs of the students. Families can ask how schools connect play to curriculum and assess children’s progress.
Watch the Education Week video and read its accompanying report. The featured image is representative and not from the school shown in the video.
