The Power of Play

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A collection of articles and resources for Early Childhood Educators

 

In this issue... The Power of Play THEORY Is play a luxury or a waste of time? According to Dr David Elkind, it is a critical and essential mode of self-created learning without which any childhood is fractured and incomplete. »» READ PRACTICAL Gadgets may distract babies from crying, but then - do they ever discover their toes? Why are children in our modern society so easily frustrated and bored? »» READ APPROACH The demands of the 21st century require creative minds and unique ideas. Discover why free play is such an essential part of growing up. »» READ RESOURCES Delve into this gold mine of resources and you'll be amazed at how many educators are deeply committed to preserving this endangered rite of childhood. »» Here they are.

FROM THE EDITOR Think back to your childhood. What are your happiest memories? Ask this question of most adults, and they will recall free and happy times of uninhibited play. Why do such experiences seem like a fast-diminishing luxury for children today? How often has a parent asked you, "Do they learn anything in here, or are they just playing?" As Dr David Elkind says, "For children in general, and for young children in particular, self initiated play is a basic mode of learning. Through such play, children create new learning experiences that they might not otherwise encounter." With this issue of Collage, I hope you will be encouraged by the dedicated, compassionate people who are committed to keeping the heart of the child in early childhood education.

Crisis in the Kindergarten: A New Report on the Disappearance of Play New research shows that many kindergartens spend 2 to 3 hours per day instructing and testing children in literacy and math-with only 30 minutes per day or less for play. In some kindergartens there is no playtime at all. The same didactic, test-driven approach is entering preschools. But these methods, which are not well grounded in research, are not yielding long-term gains. Meanwhile, behavioral problems and preschool expulsion, especially for boys, are soaring. Read and comment on the Alliance's new report, Crisis in the Kindergarten: Why Children Need to Play in School. Click here to read an 8 page summary of the report. Printed copies will be available soon under "resources" on CommunityPlaythings.com

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