Colorful trees come to life as a group of kindergartners glue bits of tissue and construction paper onto a drawing of a trunk. They’re engaged in play — but, in this Northwestern University Center for Talent Development activity, they’re also learning real-life math.
“They identify the different color ‘leaves’ they chose and create a bar graph to represent that,” shares Nick Kapling, the coordinator of advanced enrichment programs. “Kids literally create their own data sets.”
These types of playful problems define CTD’s weekend enrichment programs for ages 4 to grade 2 — and advanced learners in grades 3-8 — in Evanston, Illinois.
“Play is joyful and meaningful for students,” Kapling says. “It also involves social interaction, so it’s very actively engaging.”
During a six-Saturday program, CTD classes help kids, and especially talented learners, develop in several core ways.
Key benefits of play-based learning for children
1. Play gives kids choice and agency
Learning gets an extra spark when children take the wheel. “Our classes are based on choice,” Kapling says. “We encourage parents to talk with their children about the options, so the child can focus on what they’re interested in from the get-go.”
During designated times, kids rotate through activity stations or work on group projects, deciding how to approach a challenge.
“There are lots of materials, but they’re not told exactly what to build or how to build it. That way, they’re more intrinsically motivated,” Kapling says.
In “Builders Paradise,” for example, children used recycled materials to create unique structures — a house, a train, a school. “They’re playing and designing toward their own interests,” Kapling adds. “When kids feel their agency is respected, it builds their confidence and self-awareness.”
2. Mistakes are a healthy part of the process
A playful approach also helps students feel comfortable making mistakes. “It’s iterative,” Kapling explains. “You try, adjust, add, subtract and try again.”
In an aerospace engineering class, for instance, students build and test paper airplanes. After gathering data on their designs, students make adjustments to improve flight performance.
“It’s not just about making an airplane,” Kapling says. “It’s about connecting the familiar with the new and learning how to adapt.”
This can be especially helpful for talented students with perfectionist tendencies. “If their expectations aren’t met, it can feel like failure. Many of our projects have this idea of low-stakes risk-taking,” explains Kapling. “‘If I do this and it doesn’t work, that’s cool. I’ll try something else.’”
She adds, “It’s not about finishing sometimes. It’s about exploration and growth.”
3. It builds social and emotional skills, too
Small group projects — like a middle school team redesigning O’Hare Airport or a medical science class designing prosthetic legs out of plungers — help students develop collaboration, communication and flexibility.
“You have to advocate for your own ideas and incorporate everybody else’s perspectives,” says Kapling. “These are all really higher cognitive skills.”
Play and projects naturally create opportunities for kids to work together, which strengthens their social-emotional skills. As Kapling puts it, “You’re not learning in a vacuum.”
Even for young children, working together is powerful. “Most 4-year-olds don’t have much experience collaborating,” Kapling says. “It’s still a huge skill they’re learning. Making that a part of their lives — if even for six weeks — opens a window to what learning can look like.”
Keys to CTD’s play- and project-based learning
Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development creates opportunities for kids to explore, experiment and learn through hands-on enrichment programs.
- In a nutshell: Programs cover various subject areas, including science, mathematics, social sciences, technology and engineering, and more.
- Who it’s for: Any child in pre-K to grade 2 (ages 4+); for grades 3-8, kids must submit a portfolio (showing grades and teacher recommendations) or achievement test scores demonstrating their areas of strength. CTD classes are taught 1-2 grades above level.
- What kids gain: Activities emphasize creativity, problem-solving and collaboration, with younger kids diving into playful projects and older students taking on advanced, hands-on challenges.
- When it’s offered: Throughout 2025: winter (Jan. 25-March 1), spring (April 12-May 17) and fall (October-November). CTD also offers academic summer camps (June 30-Aug. 8).
- Where it’s held: Weekend enrichment classes take place on Northwestern University’s Evanston, Illinois campus.
To learn more about Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development’s weekend enrichment in Evanston, Illinois for kids ages 4-grade 8, visit the NU CTD website.
