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"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." - Nelson Mandela

Young Children Need More Play Time, Not Class Time

By Carole Hornsby Haynes, Ph.D. | September 1, 2015  National Center for Policy Analysis

In American schools young children are being pushed into more structured, teacher-directed class time. Play-based kindergartens, and now even preschools, have been replaced largely by drilling and testing.  This method is negatively affecting their creativity and curiosity.  Torrance scores for creative ability have been falling for Americans – especially for younger children.

Although the length of classes in American schools has been extended, along with more testing, to try to improve academic performance -- “if you want to succeed, you have to work harder” --  this has been counterproductive.  Literacy is declining and students are experiencing increasing burnout.

Other countries already understand the futility of this method and, so for decades, have provided shorter structured periods interspersed with unstructured recesses.  In Finland, for example, students take a 15-minute break for outdoor play after every 45 minutes of classroom time.  In East Asia, most primary schools give their students a 10-minute break after 40 minutes or so of instruction.

In the United States the average first-grader spends seven hours a day at school, with few or no breaks and certainly not an unstructured recess.  Sitting too long causes them to become mentally and physically sluggish.  Children have to move around frequently and having unstructured play brings renewed energy and focus on lessons. 

Studies show that play is critical in the development of children’s physical and mental health. It helps to boost their

In his article, “Children, Play, and Development,” F.P. Hughes writes that there is a strong relationship between language development and make-believe play. According to Canadian researcher Sergio Pellis, for their brain development, children need to engage in free-play without rules or coaches.  He believes that unstructured play may be more important for brain development than even class instruction.

Research studies link more time for free play to improvements in academic skills, healthy emotional attitude, classroom behavior, and better adjustment to school life.

Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas is conducting a nine-year study, the Link Project (Let’s Inspire Innovation ‘N Kids),  to test the effects of more play and less class.  Outdoor unstructured play is being measured against indoor brain breaks to determine psychological benefits. The students were given two 15-minute unstructured recesses in the morning and again in the afternoon.  They also had three 15-minute character development sessions during the week.  The project was launched in 2013-2014 in K-1 classes in two private schools in Texas.  The first year’s report shows positive results.

  • Children demonstrated social growth and development
  • Transition time from class to recess and back was reduced
  • Children were more disciplined and focused in the classroom
  • Academic performance on reading and math increased significantly
  • Misbehavior during recess decreased significantly
  • Off-task behaviors in classroom decreased significantly

TCU will continue the study, adding another grade each year, and will launch the study in four public schools in the fall of 2015-2016.

Disastrous Effects of Preschool Programs

By Carole Hornsby Haynes, Ph.D.  |  May 6, 2015 

The crisis in early education in America continues in spite of research-based evidence that, what the U.S. is doing to its young children, is harmful both short and long term.  Policymakers continue to ignore the giant discrepancy between what we know about how youngsters learn and the practices in preschool and kindergarten.  

How Effective Are Pre-K Programs?

By Carole Hornsby Haynes, Ph.D.  |  May 13, 2015 Education Views 

The crisis in early education in America continues in spite of research-based evidence that what the U.S. is doing to its young children is harmful both short and long term.  Policymakers continue to ignore the giant discrepancy between what we know about how youngsters learn and the practices in preschool and kindergarten.  Short-term studies that show gains in skills such as letter and number recognition are widely touted as justification for didactic and scripted instruction for young children – too often with disastrous effects. 

Life is Over If a 4-Year-Old Can't Read?

By Carole Hornsby Haynes, Ph.D.  |  March 11, 2015 | Education Views

Americans are fleeing public schools faster than rats from a sinking ship. Yet Texas politicians have fallen for the line that, if disadvantaged children do not have parents to prepare them for kindergarten, they will trail their classmates and will never be able to catch up.

Universal Pre-K:  The Argument Against 

By Dr. Carole Hornsby Haynes  |  May 16, 2011 Texas Insider

During his campaign, President Obama pledged universal pre-kindergarten education, stating that not only do we need to enroll more children in pre-K, but should do so at an even earlier age.    

American Pre-K Is Killing Creativity and Curiosity in Children

By Carole Hornsby Haynes, Ph.D. | March 26, 2015  Education Views (Originally "Texas Politicians Expanding Free Daycare")

An overwhelming number of Texans have indicated they are highly dissatisfied with public education.  

Yet the 84th Legislature, at the lead of Governor Abbott and business leaders, is pulling out all stops to pass legislation that will expand government run education and create free daycare for thousands of illegal immigrant minors.  

The Guv'ment Wants Your Kid! 

By Carole Hornsby Haynes, Ph.D. |  February 20, 2015    

More spending and more spending for education!  As the Texas 84th Legislative Session gets underway, politicians are pushing for a massive overhaul in early childhood education.  Numerous bills have been filed to increase the program from half-day to full day as well as to expand the eligible base.  

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