From River Soil to Constructive Play : How Play-Based Learning is growing in the Bede Community, Munshiganj

[Brinty Saha]

When children gather soil from the riverbank, shape it with their hands, and turn it into something meaningful, they are doing far more than playing. They are engaging in constructive play and when this initiative is led by young people like Monimala, Shayan within the Munshiganj, Bede community, it becomes a meaningful example of community-led initiative.

Constructive play, a concept formalized by Jean Piaget, refers to children intentionally building or creating something using available materials. It marks a developmental shift from simply exploring objects to using them with purpose and imagination. Through shaping, building, balancing, and experimenting, children develop problem-solving skills, creativity, confidence, and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

In recent community-led initiative in Munshiganj, adolescents Monimala and Shayan revived tutoring sessions by integrating play-based learning methods such as clay modeling, singing, and movement. Instead of purchasing materials, they collected soil directly from the nearby river — choosing a locally available, no-cost, and environmentally sustainable resource.

When children mold river soil into figures and forms, they are testing ideas against reality exactly as Piaget described. They are experimenting, adapting, and learning through hands-on discovery. The made flowers, leaves, animals etc with molding soil by their hands with utmost enjoyment and pleasure.

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I think quality education does not depend on expensive materialthe Using river soil instead of store-bought clay, these childrens not created art, also they built a relationship with their environment. The land around them is not just scenery, but can be resource for creativity and growth.

What makes this initiative transformative is not only the activity itself, but who led it. Adolescents in the community took responsibility for younger children’s learning. They designed the session, gathered materials, facilitated the activity, and committed to continuing such efforts.