But the whole point of play is to run through all those rote learning steps while simultaneously learning about the system and environment they live in. Sure yo

But the whole point of play is to run through all those rote learning steps while simultaneously learning about the system and environment they live in. Sure you can cram, and then you'll test well on standardized entrance exams, but then how many of these people are able to effectively apply that knowledge to real-world problems? If you play, or tinker, or experiment, as part of your learning, then you already have this experience. It's not about "fun", it's about experimentation. Free-form intellectual play.