The 3 Rs or Recess? The authors of a recently published piece say we can have it both ways–a solid core curriculum embedded in an active, child-centered, developmentally appropriate environment.

Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Temple University & Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, University of Delaware discuss the research on both sides and argue for whole-child approach.     

Here is an excerpt:

“The Capulets and Montagues of early childhood have long battled over their vision for a perfect preschool education.  Should young children be immersed in a core curriculum replete with numbers and letters or in a playful context that stimulates creative discovery?  The ‘preschool war’ leaves educators torn and embattled politicians in deadlock.  Playful learning offers one way to reframe the debate by nesting a rich core curriculum within a playful pedagogy.”

Read more here.