Play is important for children.
However, what’s missing from this important idea, a new report says, is a clear understanding of how play can be an effective learning strategy in early childhood settings – and how best to share this concept with the public.
The report – “The Role of Play in Designing Effective Early Learning Environments and Systems” – explores “questions and debates” about play by drawing on interviews with experts and stakeholders.
The report is the capstone project of Yael Schick, a Saul Zaentz Fellow and recent graduate of the Ed. M in Education Leadership, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Strategies for Children served as the host site for Yael and offered project guidance.
Guiding questions for this project include:
• What is play, and what makes an early childhood program “play-based?”
• Why does play remain a divisive issue? What are the misunderstandings and misconceptions about play-based pedagogy?
• How do we ensure that all children have the opportunity to learn through play? And,
• How must we communicate with policymakers, practitioners, and parents about the effects of play in young children’s learning and development?
While there are no set definitions of play or play-based learning, there is a great deal of useful research on these topics. Among the findings:
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Eye on Early Education focuses on the twin goals of ensuring that Massachusetts children have access to high-quality early education and become proficient readers by the end of third grade.
eyeonearlyeducation.org 