ABSTRACT
Most teachers entered the field of teaching because of a love for children and love of learning. The relationship between student and teacher is a primary factor across student achievement, behavior, self-concept, school engagement, and even peer relationships. Student-teacher relationships are highly correlated with a myriad of academic outcomes. Play facilitates communication through fostering self-expression and providing an environment of learning. Play fosters emotional wellness through allowing children to work through past events or current struggles, eliciting positive emotions, and managing stress. The development of divergent thinking and creativity in play fosters a child’s cognitive abilities to problem-solve and initiate new coping skills. Divergent thinking allows for the creativity and emotional regulation necessary for learning at school and in relationships.
