When a toddler-age child is engaged with an activity that isn't playful, their attention span won't last longer than a few minutes before they get bored. But when in the playful state, they can sustain attention much longer. That's why learning through play can lead to a richer understanding of the content, which will also lead to better retention.

"Learning that is playful is really learning for longer periods of time, which makes it deeper, regardless of what it is they're exploring," Brereton said. "Children can learn really tough things that we, as parents, might not think they were capable of."

Set Learning Goals Through Play

When you set learning goals for your child, consider play as a viable way to reach them. Depending on what type of goal you're setting, the internet is full of examples of games and playful activities that can help. From learning colors and reading to social cooperation, play can enhance learning a great deal.

Play works because it's also a way for the child to be involved in their own learning. When they're in a playful state, they enjoy what they're doing and want to continue doing it. This not only leads to deeper learning, but it also allows them to be somewhat involved in the decision-making process of what and how they're learning. Quite simply, if the activity isn't fun for them, it won't work as well as an activity that they enjoy and fully engages their mind.

Play Leads to Perseverance

Some of the most successful companies in the world make play a normal part of the workday routine. This isn't just because tech start-ups like to be quirky. Rather, it's because even as adults, being in a playful state of mind can help one find creative solutions to complex problems, which is a necessary skill in today's world.

"Playful people have a leg up when it comes to adaptability in personal and professional growth," Brereton said. "We're at our best creative and innovative frame of mind to solve difficult problems when we're in that playful state of mind."

But before your child goes to work for NASA (which has been known to ask prospective employees about their play history), play teaches them a very important lesson: perseverance.

By engaging with play that enhances their mind for a prolonged period of time, children learn intuitively that they get better at things when they stick to it. Even if it's not easy at first, if they're having fun, they realize that persevering will lead to positive outcomes.

"Don't be afraid to let children experience a good struggle," Brereton said.