OPINION — A 4-year-old who can wait for his turn walks into kindergarten better prepared than one who can recite the alphabet. That claim surprises parents, but it doesn’t surprise kindergarten teachers.
What moves learning forward are experiences that bring joy, carry meaning, ask something of the child, allow repeated tries and happen alongside other people. Research continues to show that play isn’t separate from serious learning.
With the school year in full swing, many families are turning their attention to school readiness, raising questions about what their child should know going into the classroom. Ask the teachers what they hope to see on the first morning, and letters rarely top the list. Being prepared for the classroom comes down to the everyday social, emotional and communication skills children have been practicing through play all along.
