The child development Institute of Sarah
Lawrence states that in their observations and research, children who are active in
creative play tend to be more joyful and cooperative. They also share, take turns, and
verbalize better. Lawrence College asserts that, "due to increasing trends toward
early academics in pre-school, concerns with diverting time and attention from "the
basics" in the elementary grades, and the proliferation of computerized and
other highly structured activities such play can be at peril at home and at
school".(There goes that educational pendulum again.)
According to the American Association For The Child's Right To
Play (IPA/USA), there is a misconception in our society that recess does not serve any
real purpose. (http:/www.ipausa.org)
At the risk of being labeled someone who doesn't want USA
children to keep up with Japanese children in schoolwork, I have a few thoughts on this.
(1.) It is not an "either/or" situation , but an "and". Basics and
recess.
(2.) In Japanese schools long classroom sessions alternate with periods of play outside.
Having seen schools from the inside for quite a few years, I can
truthfully say there is an obsessive behavior exhibited in regard to testing and scores.
Go ahead, teach the test, but let the kids have an unstructured recess sometimes. too.
Ple-e-ase !
IV.
What a "Site-of-the-Month" !
Parents, if you don't have a lot of time to screen safe web sites
for your kids someone else has done the leg-work for you. Visit http:// www.beritsbest.com. It's wonderful!
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