University for Continuing Education Krems (Don‘t) Play at School: A Historical and Modern Perspective on the Role of Play and (Digital) Games in Pedagogy This article discusses the historical and contemporary role of play and games in pedagogy, from ancient civilisations to modern educational practices. It shows how play has been used as a learning tool across cultures and centuries, highlighting its developmental importance and the pedagogical value. Moreover, the importance of both analogue and digital games in early childhood education is addressed, discussing their impact on the development of cognitive, social and motor skills. The article also looks at the integration of play in primary and secondary education, including the use of educational robots and digital games. Finally, the benefits and challenges of incorporating different forms of play and games into formal educational settings are shown. By bringing together historical perspectives with current practice, insights into the continuing importance of play-based learning and its potential applications across different educational levels are provided. en TEXT article challenges and benefits education historical overview digital game-based learning educational games play-based learning 2024 2024 2024-08-20 Gabriel, Sonja (KPH Vienna/Krems)