A new report by the Alliance for Childhood states that kindergartners don't get enough "play time" even though research shows that it can boost language learning and social skills. Education leaders are too dismissive of the value of properly structured play time, researchers said. Here's an except from the report. I'm not quite sure about the real-world relevance of this "animal research," but the document does raise some interesting points.
"Research shows that children who engage in complex forms of socio-dramatic play have greater language skills than nonplayers, better social skills, more empathy, more imagination, and more of the subtle capacity to know what others mean. They are less aggressive and show more self-control and higher levels of thinking. Animal research suggests that they have larger brains with more complex neurological structures than nonplayers."
Kelly Puente joined the Press-Telegram in 2006 as an editorial assistant and eventually worked her way up to general assignement reporter. Over the years, she’s covered everything from crime and breaking news to human interest and the cities of Bellflower and Cerritos. Kelly is a Long Beach resident and graduate of Cal State Long Beach. She’s new to the education beat and is looking for great stories.
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