Finding the right balance between play-time and academic learning is a problem every parent faces with their child. We instinctively know that kids need to run around but that they also need intellectual stimulation. Play provides young children with both.
You might picture learning taking place in a classroom led by a teacher who gives students drills and instructions. But research on early childhood learning has found that it is more helpful to
guide a child than to give her
direct instruction. In fact,
one study
found that over time, children performed worse in preschools focusing on direct instruction and preschools that combined play-centered
and teacher-centered approaches, compared to children in play-based preschools. Rather than
telling a child the "right" way to do something, allowing her to
explore with guidance fosters
greater creativity in thinking and problem-solving.
For parents concerned with academic achievement, it is important to know that
play-based learning does not need to exclude academics. A child should have opportunity for unstructured play, which can help develop gross and fine motor skills along with imagination. But bringing adult guidance into exploratory play can take the learning
to another level. A child enjoying the outdoors can learn about science
through
rocks (
geology) and animals (
biology). A child playing with toys can
learn about math by adding and subtracting a few members from a group of stuffed animals.
With all that has been said about play-based learning, there is still a place for direct instruction. In writing, a child needs to know how to form each letter and how to
place them in the right order. Practice drills and direct instructions can be an effective writing lesson. (But the lesson
might be even better learned if it can also be
made into a playful game!)
There are many
early education philosophies that focus on different play-based and/or academic-based activities. Parents can decide which philosophy best matches their goals and their child's
individual learning style.
On Wednesday, October 28th, 2015, parents can meet representatives of area preschools and kindergartens at
Parent Talk's 11th Annual Preschool & Kindergarten Fair. The fair will be held at
Christ Episcopal Church in Needham from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Registration is not required for this popular event. Admission is free for Parent Talk members and $10 for non-members.
About the Author
Darlene W. Cancell is an attorney turned stay-at-home mom, and most recently blog coordinator for Parent Talk.
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