Assignment Task:
Elkind, D.(2007). The Power of Play: Learning What Comes Naturally.
Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press
After reading"The Power of Play", Summarize how you will use what you have learned from reading "The Power of Play" to inform your own practice of teaching/working with young children and their families. Stretch your thinking about the importance of - indeed, the power of play in children's learning.
#1 In his introduction (p. ix) David Elkind highlights the decreased amount of time today's children have available for play. He discusses related physiological and psychological consequences for children.
What changes have you observed in children that may be attributable to decreased time for play? What differences from your own childhood play experiences exist? How are these changes manifested in different environments for children (e.g., home, school, neighborhood, etc)?
#2 The message that parents and schools need to do everything in their power to "get kids ready" for their next steps is pervasive today. Elkind discusses this perspective in Chapter 4 (pp.63- 85). What factors in our society are most influential in providing this message to parents? To teachers? How can educational professionals assist parents in steering clear of potential reactions to this message, including hyper-parenting, over-protection, and over-programming?
What has/would work for you as a parent? As an educator?
PLEASE source citations within the text within where it applies