This year, my youngest child began kindergarten, and while he’s enjoyed his new experience, one recurring comment has caught my attention: “There’s so much WORK!” he expresses to me now and then.
When I inquire further, he shares that he spends too much time at his desk, filling out worksheets, and often feels bored and restless. It honestly tugs at my heartstrings to hear him feel this way.
I want to clarify that his teacher is fantastic—an empathetic and dedicated individual who incorporates plenty of play and creativity into the curriculum. In reality, they probably spend only about 20% of their day confined to their desks, and I know she strives to make that time engaging. But I also understand that she is adhering to enforced guidelines.
After all, these young learners will face standardized testing in just a few years, and heaven forbid they don’t start prepping at the tender age of 5 (yes, I’m being sarcastic).
It’s disheartening because I firmly believe that children shouldn’t be seated for long periods working on assignments. They have their whole lives ahead of them for that.
More educators are beginning to recognize this trend as well. Over the past ten years, schools have adopted an increasingly academic focus at younger ages, which I worry is merely fostering impatience and pushing kids away from the joy of learning. Research indicates that the most effective way to engage young learners is through play rather than worksheets. After all, play is instinctual for young children. Why not leverage that for educational purposes?
Boston Public Schools’ New Direction
Boston Public Schools, one of the largest school districts in the nation, is making strides in this direction. Recently, they announced a shift towards more play-based learning strategies in their early childhood programs through a Facebook post and an article on WBUR.org.
This district, catering to 56,000 students across 125 schools, aims to balance allowing children to “just be kids” with preparing them for the academic challenges ahead, including those dreaded standardized tests.
“We’ve taken a step back to reimagine a curriculum that aligns with what we know about young children,” shared Mark Ellis, the director of early childhood education at Boston Public Schools, in his interview with WBUR. “At the same time, we want to ensure they are ready for the MCAS test and other learning opportunities when they reach third grade.”
Implementing Change in the Classroom
So how are they implementing this change? According to WBUR, it’s through interactive learning activities, like those found in Mrs. Sarah Johnson’s kindergarten class in East Boston. In her classroom, students work in small groups at designated “learning stations.” Worksheets are nowhere to be found, and students are encouraged to be active participants.
For example, one activity involved students constructing a wolf statue out of blocks. They then collaborated to label the different body parts, engaging in discussions about spelling and vocabulary (“ear,” “nose,” “eye,” etc.). It’s fantastic to see kids combining play with hands-on learning while enhancing their literacy skills.
Mrs. Johnson admitted to WBUR that transitioning from a more structured environment to this new format took effort. However, witnessing the positive outcomes has convinced her of its value.
“I used to prefer a more organized approach,” she reflected. “I found blocks messy and noisy.”
Now, she observes significant improvements in her students’ social interactions and academic growth, particularly in their language development.
Looking Ahead
Although it’s still early to assess the overall impact of these district-wide changes, researchers from institutions like the University of Michigan, Harvard, and MDRC will follow a cohort of kindergarteners for three years to evaluate the outcomes.
I’m excited to see what they discover, but I believe the pivot to play-based learning will yield remarkable benefits for these children—benefits we should all take note of.
Regardless of which educational model is deemed best, most parents instinctively recognize that 5- and 6-year-olds flourish when they are allowed to play and be active. This is the essence of childhood, and it’s what many of us fondly remember from our early educational experiences.
Children have only one chance to embrace their childhood, and it’s our responsibility to nurture their creative spirits as much as possible.
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