Comments on: Kindergarten Summer School ?!? http://www.empoweredbyplay.org/2009/07/kindergarten-summer-school-2/ Helping families and teachers protect and promote imaginative play in our way-too-busy, consumer-driven, media-filled world. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:16:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Geralyn Bywater McLaughlin http://www.empoweredbyplay.org/2009/07/kindergarten-summer-school-2/comment-page-1/#comment-172 Geralyn Bywater McLaughlin Sat, 18 Jul 2009 15:45:00 +0000 http://www.empoweredbyplay.com/2009/07/kindergarten-summer-school-2/#comment-172 Yes, Katie and Karen! Developmentally appropriate learning environments is the key. And the link between learning and play is well documented. What has been surprising to me is the number of school administrators who have lost sight of this - in the face of testing mania! Also, I have heard from many parents over the last few weeks who clearly think that Kindergarten Summer School is a wonderful resource to help "keep up with the Joneses". Not every parent thinks it is a good idea, but many, many do. It is making me realize how big the task (of protecting and promoting play)truly is - and also how essential! Yes, Katie and Karen! Developmentally appropriate learning environments is the key. And the link between learning and play is well documented. What has been surprising to me is the number of school administrators who have lost sight of this – in the face of testing mania! Also, I have heard from many parents over the last few weeks who clearly think that Kindergarten Summer School is a wonderful resource to help "keep up with the Joneses". Not every parent thinks it is a good idea, but many, many do. It is making me realize how big the task (of protecting and promoting play)truly is – and also how essential!

]]> By: katied http://www.empoweredbyplay.org/2009/07/kindergarten-summer-school-2/comment-page-1/#comment-156 katied Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:14:37 +0000 http://www.empoweredbyplay.com/2009/07/kindergarten-summer-school-2/#comment-156 This post makes me think we need to strike a balance between play and learning in the classroom. I think we can bridge this gap when we do what Karen mentioned...create developmentally appropriate environments. It is easier said than done. I notice that I often help create opportunities for play at home with an idea (nothing forced but suggested and I don't participate in the play). I also do this in the classroom when I teach by suggesting ideas for what to read, write or create. Play can be modeled, scaffolded and tied into so many learning routines in the classroom (like partner work, shared reading, writing and math)<br /><br />Thanks for posting. So much to think about!! This post makes me think we need to strike a balance between play and learning in the classroom. I think we can bridge this gap when we do what Karen mentioned…create developmentally appropriate environments. It is easier said than done. I notice that I often help create opportunities for play at home with an idea (nothing forced but suggested and I don't participate in the play). I also do this in the classroom when I teach by suggesting ideas for what to read, write or create. Play can be modeled, scaffolded and tied into so many learning routines in the classroom (like partner work, shared reading, writing and math)

Thanks for posting. So much to think about!!

]]> By: Karen Spiegel http://www.empoweredbyplay.org/2009/07/kindergarten-summer-school-2/comment-page-1/#comment-151 Karen Spiegel Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:13:35 +0000 http://www.empoweredbyplay.com/2009/07/kindergarten-summer-school-2/#comment-151 There are some kindergartners who, in addition to their regular highly structured school day, are doing after school tutoring. This happened in a public school where I taught this year in Boston. A retiring kindergarten teacher at this school said that the best part of the school year was in June when she was able to give the students more time to play. So many opportunities for emotional and social growth are lost when teachers and schools cannot create developmentally appropriate learning environments due to the emphasis on testing. There are some kindergartners who, in addition to their regular highly structured school day, are doing after school tutoring. This happened in a public school where I taught this year in Boston. A retiring kindergarten teacher at this school said that the best part of the school year was in June when she was able to give the students more time to play. So many opportunities for emotional and social growth are lost when teachers and schools cannot create developmentally appropriate learning environments due to the emphasis on testing.

]]> By: Geralyn Bywater McLaughlin http://www.empoweredbyplay.org/2009/07/kindergarten-summer-school-2/comment-page-1/#comment-150 Geralyn Bywater McLaughlin Tue, 07 Jul 2009 02:53:20 +0000 http://www.empoweredbyplay.com/2009/07/kindergarten-summer-school-2/#comment-150 After I wrote this post, I was thrilled to receive the latest edition of Community Playthings' Collage Newsletter. They feature a slideshow of their summer program with kids delighting in nature. Nice. I needed that!<br />http://www.communityplaythings.com/resources/articles/outdoorplay/ourchildren.html?source=collage After I wrote this post, I was thrilled to receive the latest edition of Community Playthings' Collage Newsletter. They feature a slideshow of their summer program with kids delighting in nature. Nice. I needed that!
http://www.communityplaythings.com/resources/articles/outdoorplay/ourchildren.html?source=collage

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