How to Achieve Inclusion Through Play – 10 Brilliant Strategies

The term “inclusion” is frequently used by the media, NGOs, educational institutions, and even parents, yet it often seems that its true meaning remains unclear to many. To fully understand it, we should perhaps turn to a universal human experience: play.

Play is something all children share, across every corner of the world, regardless of their differences. It is through play that barriers and prejudices fall away, friendships are formed, and learning takes place – learning that often plays a vital role in a child's development.

In other words, by incorporating play into various aspects of children's daily lives, we lay the foundation for future generations capable of building a society based on respect, equality, understanding, and tolerance.

This is what inclusion truly is: a remarkable human achievement that brings children together, regardless of their differences, allowing each of them to fulfill their need for friendship, play, learning, and the fundamental need to be loved and accepted. These needs are the same whether a child has developmental disabilities, lives in poverty, or comes from a different cultural background affected by economic and social exclusion.

Experts agree that play is a key element in every child’s development, and it offers the best path to emotional and social growth.

“Inclusion plays an important role in this process because it ensures that every child, regardless of their abilities or the challenges they face, has the opportunity to participate in play. This involves adapting activities to make them accessible to all children and creating an environment that embraces diversity. Inclusive play not only helps children reach their potential, but also fosters collaboration and mutual understanding,” explains PhD Snežana Vuković, Associate Professor and Assistant Minister of Education for Violence Prevention and Inclusion of Vulnerable Groups.

Highlighting that inclusion requires a thoughtful approach, creativity, and openness, PhD Vuković offers advice and suggestions that form part of a broader strategy to help create an inclusive environment through play:

Adapt activities to offer multiple options for participation;

Use technology or assistive tools where needed to support all children’s engagement;

Involve peers, as this helps children develop empathy and understanding through shared play and teamwork;

Encourage cooperative play focused on shared goals – activities that promote teamwork instead of competition, allowing everyone to contribute;

Ensure a physically safe space so that every child feels comfortable during play;

Promote collaboration between parents, institutions, and individuals who can support a child’s involvement in play, offering deeper insight into their needs;

Celebrate diversity by including elements in activities that reflect children's differences and symbolically affirm each child’s individuality;

Observe children's play to identify what works (and what doesn’t), and be ready to make adjustments where needed;

Foster trust among children so they feel safe interacting with others—praise and encouragement are key in building this trust;

Engage all senses (multisensory play) – using various materials that stimulate all senses helps children connect with the world around them through a rich range of experiences.

And most importantly, as PhD Vuković concludes, always listen to the child, especially those with disabilities or developmental challenges, and give them space to express their preferences about the types of play they wish to engage in. This is the most direct and meaningful path to a true understanding of inclusion, of which play is an inseparable part.