Play: Play or Academics?
08/01/2001 - Betsy Kane-Hartnett
Play or Academics…It Shouldn’t Be a Choice!
I sympathize with parents who feel pulled in opposite directions between wanting their little ones to play during their early years and wanting them to be academically prepared for kindergarten. In my thirty plus years as an Early Childhood Educator I’ve never seen the conflict between the two any stronger.
On the one hand, parents hear that “play is essential to development as it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth” (American Academy of Pediatrics).
On the other hand, parents hear that children are expected to write their first names and to recognize both upper and lower case letters on the first day of kindergarten (an expectation confirmed by principals recently surveyed).
The good news is that a quality play-based curriculum actually supports academic readiness skills. Writing one’s own name requires manual dexterity, the kind of dexterity strengthened by playing with playdough, dress-up, and peg boards. Recognizing upper and lower case letters follows purposeful use of the letters, such as when a four-year old writes a sign for his block building that says, “Do Not Touch!”
At The Preschool at Forty Carrots Family Center, we pride ourselves in incorporating meaningful academics into productive, play experiences. Play with a purpose…it’s a smart choice.
Betsy Kane-Hartnett, M.S.
Co-founder, Co-executive director
Forty Carrots Family Center
