As a nation we are known for competition and achievement. I’ve been told that when the great French child development specialist, Jean Piaget, unveiled his research on the four stages of cognitive development (https://www.simplypsychology.org/piaget.html ) that it was only the Americans who inquired how they could get children to go through the stages faster.
Especially with the onset of full day kindergarten our preschools have been pressured to restructure their curriculum to focus more and more on academics. Now teachers and therapists are noticing an alarming trend: Children are not emotionally or physically prepared for school! Children are falling out of their chairs, they don’t know how to share, and they are exhibiting anxiety and sensory issues. The cause for these maladies the experts say is that children are not allowed to simply play anymore. With the emphasis on academics we have misguidedly neglected the skills that children naturally developed when allowed to have unrestricted play.
Articles of interest on this topic:
- Washington Post’s article: “The Decline of Play in Preschoolers and the Rise of Sensory Issues” https://wapo.st/2NjbkFl
- The Atlantic’s article: “All Work and No Play: Why Your Kids Are More Anxious, Depressed”https://bit.ly/2lCLGRb
- The Time’s article: “The Secret Power of Play” https://ti.me/2f3hcD5
If you notice GPL’s new play area you will see that the designers have provided a plethora of opportunities for your child to experience exciting and imaginative play. There are games that will teach your child how to wait their turn, costumes and play spaces that will help your child engage in cooperative play with new friends, and building toys that will help with fine motor coordination. So come and enjoy! Let the children PLAY!
1000 Books Before Kindergarten is a early literacy program that can help foster the love of reading in young children. This free, self-paced reading program for infants through preschoolers allows parents and caregivers an opportunity to share books daily with their child. The goal is 1000 books before they start Kindergarten and, yes, they can read the same book more than once. Libraries across the United States have joined in, providing incentives and promotion for this fun challenge.
