07/12/2026
Onward Myth Busting – Part 2
"They just play all day, don't they?"
We do play a lot. And we're proud of it.
We also have dedicated time every day for direct instruction, small-group learning, and targeted academic support. Our students work hard, but they also get something many children don't get enough of anymore…Time to play.
In fact, one of the most consistently supported findings in child development research is the importance of unstructured play. While structured Physical Education is valuable for building fitness, coordination, teamwork, and sportsmanship, it doesn't replace the unique benefits of free play.
During unstructured play, children create their own games, solve problems, negotiate rules, navigate disagreements, take healthy risks, build friendships, and develop creativity and independence. These experiences strengthen executive functioning, self-regulation, communication, and resilience in ways that adult-directed activities simply can't replicate.
That's why every student at Onward spends more than an hour outside each day in unstructured play. That time isn't "lost learning." It's an investment in learning.
Outdoor play helps regulate the nervous system, supports physical health, improves mental and emotional well-being, and prepares children to return to the classroom calmer, more focused, and ready to learn.
You'll also see a lot of play-based learning in our Preschool and elementary classrooms. Research consistently shows that young children learn more effectively when they're actively engaged through meaningful play.
One of our favorite approaches is cross-curricular learning, where one activity naturally teaches multiple subjects at the same time. For example, we might go on a nature scavenger hunt where students count acorns, leaves, or rocks to practice math; identify plants, insects, and animal tracks to build science knowledge; read clues or field guides to strengthen reading; write and draw observations in a nature journal; practice Lakota language by identifying animals, plants, colors, and numbers; and reinforce Lakota values such as respect for all living things, generosity, courage, wisdom, humility, and caring for one another and the world around us.
Our Curiosity Classes build on that same philosophy. Whether students are exploring nature, engineering, art, history, culture, cooking, entrepreneurship, or other real-world topics, they are applying reading, writing, math, science, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity in meaningful ways. Learning isn't divided into isolated boxes. It is connected, purposeful, and relevant.
We also build with natural materials to explore engineering concepts, act out stories to strengthen reading comprehension and communication skills, and use games to reinforce phonics and math facts. The learning is intentional, it just doesn't always look like children sitting quietly at desks.
So yes, we play a lot. But we also learn a lot.
At Onward, we don't see play as a reward or a break from learning. We see play as a right, not a privilege. Our students continue to show strong academic growth while also developing the confidence, independence, problem-solving skills, creativity, cultural identity, collaboration, curiosity, and love of learning that will serve them long after they leave our classrooms.
As always, we welcome anybody who would like to visit our school and see firsthand what a day looks like in the life of an Onward learner 💫
