Play-based Learning is Essential

As a kindergarten teacher prior to California's mid-90's "standards" implementation, which essentially made allocating time for play in kindergarten much more challenging, I know first-hand that this study is "spot on" in its findings. Play is essential for growing brains and development of social interaction skills. And for those that do not know, I was essentially teaching Pre-K/TK, whatever you want to call it in today's terms, in circa 1994. And now we realize that ratcheting up academics in Kindergarten caused parents to enroll kids a year later (turning 6, rather than turning 5)... and many of our youngest learners lost out on this essential year of early learning. We're trying to course correct now, which I am thankful for, but we should really make better decisions going forward.💜 #ForKids #ForFamilies #ForEquity #Opportunity #Inclusion #Accountability https://hechingerreport.org/kids-can-learn-more-from-guided-play-than-from-direct-instruction-report-finds/?_cldee=Y2JvbmluaUBzbWNvZS5vcmc%3d&recipientid=contact-7734becfe9e4e41180e2005056b02a09-44081c6b1eda4bcaba2e4e8184d9e2f4&esid=393f64d2-51ac-ec11-814e-005056b02a09 ​