Child’s play
A
study in New Zealand compared children who learned how to read at age five with those who learned at age seven.
When they were 11 years old, both sets of children displayed the same reading ability. But
the children who only learned how to read at age seven actually showed a higher comprehension level.
One of the explanations is that they had more time to explore the world around them through play.
It is clear that preparing children for the future demands re-focusing concepts of learning and education.
Knowing how to read, write and do maths remain important for children to unlock the world in front of them.
An increasingly interconnected and dynamic world means children will find themselves changing jobs several times during their lives – switching to jobs that don’t exist today, and which they might have to invent themselves.
The question is how do we foster the above-mentioned breadth of skills, and
keep alive the natural ability of children to learn throughout a lifetime – instead of eroding it when they enter formal schooling?
Achieving this is simpler than you might think: engaging children in positive, playful experiences.
Different forms of play provide children with the opportunity to develop social, emotional, physical and creative skills in addition to cognitive ones.
Lifelong play
If we agree on
the urgent need for developing skills of complex problem solving, critical thinking and creativity, it is essential that we recognise
that these skills are built by learning through play across the lifespan.
As we invest in our children’s future,
let’s be sure to guard against directed learning, “schoolification
” or three-year-olds learning their alphabet and numbers in written form when there is no evidence that this will make them better readers.
We need to challenge ourselves on the logic of flashcards and homework for our youngest at home,
and see the value of continuing to create joyful, meaningful play moments with our children.
The natural ability of children to learn through play may be the best-kept, low-cost secret for addressing the skills agenda with potential to equip both our children and our economies to thrive.
Plus, it’s fun. So, what’s stopping us? Let’s play!