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Supervision 2026 Full Course

Play Is Learning

Classical and Operant Conditioning

RBT Terminology Breakdown

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Supervision 2026 Full Course

Play Is Learning

Classical and Operant Conditioning

RBT Terminology Breakdown

Supervision 2026 Full Course

Play Is Learning

Classical and Operant Conditioning

RBT Terminology Breakdown

Login Account

Supervision Requirements 2026

May 28

Written By Shannon Williams

It all begins with an idea.

Shannon Williams

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Blog Post Title Two

Play Is Learning: Why Play Is the Brain’s Favorite Teacher

Welcome! We’ve often been told that "work" and "play" are opposites. The single most important thing you will learn in this course is that this is completely wrong.

For a young child, play is not a break from learning. It is the brain's most effective and efficient way of learning.

The Neuroscience of Play

When a child plays, their brain isn't just "busy"—it's on fire.

Executive Function (The Brain's CEO): When a child engages in pretend play (like "house" or "superheroes"), they are running a complex mental simulation. This directly lights up the prefrontal cortex, the very part of the brain responsible for planning, impulse control, and problem-solving.
Emotional Regulation (The Brain's Thermostat): Play is how children safely experiment with complex emotions. During rough-and-tumble play, they learn the difference between "fun" and "too much," strengthening the connection between their emotional and thinking centers.
Neural Pathways (The Brain's Superhighways): Every time a child plays, their brain releases chemicals that are like "Miracle-Gro" for brain cells. This doesn't just build new neural connections; it strengthens them, making learning more permanent.

Contact Us at:

Shannon.Williams@myabatrainer.com