Play: A Predictor of Academic Success

“NPR’s Morning Edition recently reported on new studies which indicate that, when it comes to young children, engaging in unstructured play with other kids may be better for your child’s development than any academic task,” writes Brian Gresko on Babble.com. “Play helps kids learn how to regulate emotions, solve problems, and make plans. A better predictor of a kid’s academic success in the 8th grade is how well they socialize with their peers in the 3rd grade. Playtime isn’t wasted time, if you’re concerned with academics; in fact it’s just the opposite. Playtime is essential for young children, though you won’t likely see this reflected in your kids’ school.

Kindergartens, and even preschool classes within the public school system, operate under orders to focus on academic skills that can be measured by assessments…”

Deb Curtis and Jess Guiney, writing in an Out of the Box Training Kit, also talk about the importance of play and social interaction for children’s optimal development: “Vygotsky’s learning theories about social constructivism support the ideas that:

1. Children learn in relationship with others;
2. Being able to fully engage with like-minded friends can scaffold children’s development more readily than can teacher-directed activities.” 

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