The F-Word: When Did “Fun” Become a Dirty Word in Education?

I still remember the excitement of stepping into Mr. Rueben’s second-grade classroom. My backpack was stuffed with a new set of watercolors and all the other essentials that promised a year of creativity. We used those watercolors to paint a favorite stuffed animal from home, right at our desks. In the corner was a giant inflated bubble with adhesive stars on top, powered by the hum of an air compressor. It was a secret escape where I could lie back and read a book of my choosing.

Then there was Mr. Rueben’s wedding. He invited the entire class, giving us a chance to attend the ceremony. I remember pulling out my pastel Easter dress belted with a satin ribbon. Years later, I have mentioned the church where the ceremony took place so many times on our road trips that even my children can point it out from the highway.

What do watercolor painting, a bubble, and a wedding have in common? They are fun. What Mr. Rueben provided in that classroom was a joyful space where learning and fun coexisted.

Somewhere along the way, classrooms like Mr. Rueben’s began to disappear. Watercolor sets were replaced by headphones on the supply list. It wasn’t one change, but a slow shift that began to emphasize rigor, accountability, and standardized testing performance. Teachers once free to infuse lessons with personality became constrained by pacing guides, scripted curricula, and a system that rewards compliance over connection. Fun became a four-letter word—just fluff and a distraction from serious learning.

Neuroscience has confirmed what great teachers like Mr. Rueben instinctively knew. Feeling and learning are interconnected, joy fuels engagement, and engagement fuels learning. When students are emotionally invested and engaged, learning sticks. When educators can share their passions and creativity, classrooms come alive.

Today’s classrooms don’t need to look like Mr. Rueben’s to reclaim the spirit of fun and the joy of learning. We cannot pretend the system isn’t heavy. We can remember that within every curriculum standard or script, there’s room for small, meaningful choices that can make learning fun. Take one small, deliberate step toward joy. Bring out the paints. Share a story. Ask a question that doesn’t have an answer. Every act of joy we bring back into our classrooms is an act of resistance and reminder that learning, at its best, has always been fun.

For ideas on infusing more fun into learning, visit the ATPE Online Community.