Should kindergarten be play-based?

Why Play in Kindergarten? Research shows that play-based learning is essential for children's academic, social, emotional, and physical development.

Is kindergarten play based?

The first kindergartens in America were play-based and grounded in Froebel's vision; they were meant to build cognitive and social-emotional skills. By the 1960's, subjects like reading, writing, math and science were informally included in the kindergarten day, which typically lasted about two-and-a-half hours.

Should kindergarten be more about play or literacy?

Children experience major cognitive, language, physical, social and emotional developments that need to be incorporated into kindergarten curriculum.” Play-based learning has been proven through extensive research as one of the most effective teaching strategies for young learners to grow in all developmental areas.

Why is play so important in kindergarten?

Play improves the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and young people. Through play, children learn about the world and themselves. They also learn skills they need for study, work and relationships such as: confidence.

Should kindergarten have free play?

Through play, children learn to regulate their behavior, lay the foundations for later learning in science and mathematics, figure out the complex negotiations of social relationships, build a repertoire of creative problem-solving skills, and so much more.

What is Play-Based Learning?

What is the value of play in kindergarten?

During play, children's brains are actively seeking and using skills such as negotiating, improvising, communicating, critical thinking, problem-solving, taking risks, sharing ideas, perspective-taking, creating, and learning from mistakes.

Why is play so important for a 5 year old?

Through play, children develop language skills, their emotions and creativity, social and intellectual skills. For most children their play is natural and spontaneous although some children may need extra help from adults.

What happens to a child's development if they don't play?

Play-deprived early child development

In later childhood, the play-deprived child may have more explosive reactions to circumstances rather than a sense of belonging. As adults, they are often unoptimistic and subject to smoldering depression due to a lack of joy in their lives.

What happened to play in kindergarten?

During the era of testing, NCLB and the Common Core Standards, kindergarten has morphed from a time of play and discovery into the new first grade, where children read and write, do simple math, and even learn to take standardized tests.

What is the power of play in kindergarten?

Play allows children to practice the language skills they have learned and build on their expanding vocabulary. Interacting with adults and peers also enables children to refine their speech sounds through listening to others. Play builds skills such as intrinsic motivation and executive functioning.

How effective is play based learning?

Research shows that learning through play supports positive attitudes towards learning, providing a good foundation for ongoing success at school and skills for life-long learning. Play also supports the development of both large and small types of movement.

What is the play way method of teaching in kindergarten?

This method involves encouraging children to learn via hands-on activities, exploration and games, instead of through traditional classroom teaching. The idea is to create an engaging and interactive learning environment that fulfils a child's natural curiosity and creative urges.

Can most kindergarteners read?

Experts say that most children learn to read by age 6 or 7, meaning first or second grade, and that some learn much earlier. However, a head start on reading doesn't guarantee a child will stay ahead as they progress through school.

Is play-based better than Montessori?

The Montessori style of learning lets children independently complete tasks and activities. It can be especially beneficial for children who thrive in self-directed environments, while the play-based approach can be ideal for children who need a more structured and hands-on approach.

Is Montessori not play-based?

Work: Most Montessori preschools have quite a bit of task-oriented work. Play-based preschools, meanwhile, have more open-ended play. Materials: Montessori kids work with lots of concrete materials, especially manipulatives, which are self-correcting and have a solution.

Is Montessori play-based or academic?

The Montessori Method of education promotes children to indulge in hands-on learning and self-directed play. Unlike traditional preschools, Montessori preschools provide children with a systematic educational environment, specifically designed materials, and opportunities to develop at their own pace.

Why has kindergarten changed?

Today, kindergarten is more closely associated with academics, worksheets, and learning to read as the pressure to meet certain standards is pushed down on our young children, their families and teachers. This shift has resulted in the more engaging hands on activities falling to the wayside.

Is kindergarten developmentally appropriate?

Kindergarten is a sturdy bridge for children and families as they transition from early childhood to the K–12 system. Unfortunately, over time, kindergarten has become increasingly academic in nature, leaving little time for developmentally appropriate experiences necessary for young children to thrive.

Has kindergarten gotten harder?

Recent research has found that kindergarten classrooms look increasingly academic, with the casualties often being art and free time for play. That's worried plenty of parents and child advocates.

Is it okay to not play with your child?

Long story short: There's nothing wrong with not playing with your kids. In fact, the Let Grow mission is all about raising independent kids who know how to entertain themselves. Want to try it for yourself? Learn about the various Let Grow projects and consider bringing them to your school or family.

What are the drawbacks of children who don t play in early childhood?

Brown states that sustained, moderate to severe play deprivation particularly during the first 10 years of life is linked to major emotional dysregulation; i.e., increased prevalence of depression, a tendency to become inflexible in thought, diminished impulse control, less self-regulation, poor management of ...

What are the negative effects of lack of play?

Without play, the normal functioning of the musculoskeletal system will be adversely affected. The brain's cognitive system on the other hand simply waits to be switched on by the right sort of stimulation. lack of sensory interaction with the world', or 'a neurotic, erratic interaction. '

What is the Montessori theory of play?

Simply put, the Montessori approach to play is learning skills that have a practical application…in a fun way. According to the movement's founder, Maria Montessori, “Play is the work of the child.” Her vision was to combine play with learning and satisfy a child's curiosity while still allowing them to have fun.

How many hours should a 5 year old play?

Preschoolers should be active about 3 hours a day, including light, moderate, and vigorous activities. Kids this age are learning to hop, skip, and jump forward, and are eager to show off how they can balance on one foot, catch a ball, or do a somersault.

How many hours of play does a 5 year old need?

At least 3 hours of physical activity spread throughout the day including both planned activities and free play. By the time children are 5 years old, this should include at least 60 minutes of energetic play each day.