Boys and Play: A Great Fit

“Traditionally, play was at the heart of the early childhood curriculum,” writes Frances Wardle in his important new book, Oh Boy! “This was no accident. Not only does play match up well with the overall developmental needs of all young children, but it allows young boys to engage in experiences that help them to develop and learn in a natural, developmental manner: whole-child learning, movement, exploration, trial-and-error, hands on, messy, and the extensive use of their imagination.

Play encourages the child to explore the social and physical environment, without the imposition of strict rules or externally imposed expectations. It places the child at the center of the activity, allowing full control—except for issues of health and safety—in their hands: choices of who to play with, what to play with, how to play, and the very nature of the play activity and its direction and duration. For boys, play is hands-on, self-directed, under their full control, and uses all domains in a whole-child learning approach. It’s the ultimate goodness-of-fit for young boys!”

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