Children learn through play. Talk to early childhood educators and they will say this is the core of what they know about how children learn best. Talk to many parents and they say that allowing children to simply play all day is not teaching kids anything. This is the signature argument that has defined the early childhood field. The author posits that when educators are most effective they facilitate directed play within the goals of the curriculum. The author looks at an example of an active teacher facilitating learning through play.