Question
How does play contribute to academic readiness?
Answer
Play is a powerful tool for skill development and can be used as an intervention to enhance academic readiness, particularly in children aged three to six. Research shows that schools and childcare centers that incorporate a combination of instruction, free play, and guided play have significantly better outcomes in literacy, motor skills, and social-emotional development. In contrast, environments with limited play opportunities and a focus on rote learning exhibit lower learning outcomes.
Play contributes to language development by enhancing phonological awareness, expanding vocabulary, practicing syntax, and building background knowledge. It also promotes the development of cognitive skills such as classification, reasoning, and problem-solving. Additionally, play fosters social interaction, cooperation, conflict resolution, and understanding others' perspectives. Recognizing the importance of play, the American Academy of Pediatrics highlights its role in cultivating problem-solving abilities, collaboration, and creativity, which ultimately contribute to the development of executive function and academic readiness.
This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course The Impact of Tech on Development and Academic Readiness, presented by Angie Neal, MS, CCC-SLP.
