Christopher Brown is an Associate Professor of Curriculum and Instruction in Early Childhood Education at the University of Texas at Austin. He has noted a disturbing trend in in Kindergarten. “Research has consistently shown classrooms that offer children the opportunities to engage in play-based and child-centered learning activities help children grow academically, socially andemotionally. Furthermore, recess in particular helps children restore their attention for learning in the classroom.
Focus on rules can diminish children’s willingness to take academic risks and curiosity as well as impede their self-confidence and motivation as learners — all of which can negatively impact their performance in school and in later life.
Giving children a chance to play and engage in hands-on learning activities helps them internalize new information as well as compare and contrast what they’re learning with what they already know. It also provides them with the chance to interact with their peers in a more natural setting and to solve problems on their own. Lastly, it allows kindergartners to make sense of their emotional experiences in and out of school.” To read the entire article click here