Can guidance during play enhance children's learning and development in educational contexts? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis considered evidence of guided play compared to direct instruction or free play to support children's learning and development. Interventions from 39 studies were reviewed (published 1977-2020); 17 were included in meta-analysis (N  = 3893; M  = 1-8 years; M 49.8%; M White 41%, African American/Black 28%, Hispanic 19%).