10 September 2025

How can play, music and movement become part of future teaching? In an international seminar, students and teachers together explored exactly that – in a creative play lab where superheroes, collaboration and emotions were at the centre.

Female teacher in a classroom
The module highlights the centrality of play in childhood and the ways it encourages creativity, learning development and social community among children. Photographer: Therese Winder

In a room filled with colourful materials, rhythms and imagination, students from different backgrounds and countries gathered to participate in a seminar on the role of play in learning.

The seminar was organised within the framework of ECIU University, a European university network where students, teachers and researchers collaborate across borders to solve real societal challenges. Through ECIU University’s challenge-based learning concept, participants were given the opportunity to explore the role of play in learning in a practical and creative way.

“We wanted to create an experience where students learn not only about play, but through play. Music is a powerful tool for building bridges between people and subjects,” says course leader Daniela Lerma Arregocés.

The course was offered as what is known as a micro-module – a shorter course that gives students an opportunity to study a specific subject in greater depth while developing skills such as collaboration, creativity and problem solving.

Play as an educational tool

The theme of the seminar was Superheroes and Superpowers, and the students got to try everything from rhythmic exercises and dance to drama-based games and free movement. The goal was to create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone could participate – regardless of previous experience of music or drama.

“The hardest thing was to design a seminar where everyone felt comfortable. Many of the students had no musical background, and also the course was international, which meant language barriers. But that’s why it was so important to create a space where everyone could find their own way into the play,” says Daniela Lerma Arregocés.

The students’ experiences show how play can function as an educational tool.

“We got to try out what the children do themselves, and it’s very important to know how it can feel. It was fun, uncomfortable and everything in between – but above all educational,” says Clara Baczkowski, who is studying to become a primary school teacher.

Jocke, who is studying to become a leisure-time pedagogue, appreciated the freedom in the exercises.

“It was nice not to have to follow a certain pattern. There was no one way of doing it – and that’s what made it so good.”

Elin Holmberg, who is also studying to become a leisure-time pedagogue, saw the seminar as an opportunity to gain inspiration for her future teaching.

“My teacher suggested collecting exercises and games so I’ve got a bank to use when I start working.”
Daniela Lerma Arregocés wants to give students a "resource backpack" – a collection of tools and ideas that they can use in their future professional roles.

“Music can be integrated into all subjects – from literature to science – and contribute to creativity, collaboration and emotional engagement. It’s about daring to use play as an educational tool.”

Read more about the course

Contact

More on ECIU University

Latest news from LiU

Reseracher in lab.

New master’s programmes in world-leading materials science

Linköping University is one of the world’s leading universities in materials science. The autumn of 2026 will see the launch of two new master’s programmes in this field. The students can look forward to an excellent labour market.

Male professor in laboratory.

LiU establishes new infrastructure for materials research

A new Swedish research infrastructure for additive manufacturing (3D printing) and the finishing and qualification of components in tungsten for future nuclear power is being launched. LiU has been appointed coordinator for the MJOLNIR project.

New centre drives sustainability transition

With a mission to catalyse research and collaboration on sustainable societal transformation, a new centre, LiU Sustainability Transformations, C4ST, will be a new meeting place for innovation and collaboration – both within and outside of LiU.