Berkeley Parents Network: Play-Based vs. Structured Preschools

Berkeley Parents Network

Play-Based vs. Structured Preschools

Berkeley Parents Network > Advice > School & Preschool > Play-Based vs. Structured Preschools

Free play vs. structure at preschool

April 2004

I'm curious about how wide the range is of types of preschool whe it comes to free play vs. structured activities (circle time, games, field trips and the like.) The school we are thinking about is, we've been told, about 75% free play and 25% activities. Where is that in the spectrum of schools? Does that much free play time ever get overwhelming for kids? Is the alternative a more academic preschool? Just curious. Katie

It has been many years since my children were in preschool (my oldest is about to graduate from high school this year), but as an elementary school teacher I purposefully chose the most play-based program I could find. My kids spent their preschool years digging in the sand, swinging on rope swings, structuring their time as they chose, participating as much or as little as they wanted in structured activities. I have never regretted that decision. Children have so little time to be children, and the work of children looks like play to us, but is critical to their cognitive development. Once a child begins kindergarten, especially now in the age of high stakes testing, there is little time for play. Why begin that process sooner than is necessary? If you want to introduce structure and formalized learning for your preschooler, enroll him/her in a class at Lawrence Hall of Science, or MOCHA, or the Richmond Art Center, or Kindergym, or something of that ilk. Both of my kids are at the top of their class academically, are GATE students, learned to read before first grade, and rarely participated in ''circle time'', or any other structured activity during preschool. They were too busy playing, which was fine with me! An advocate for unhurried children

Just found out our play-based preschool doesn't provide any instruction

July 2003

We are thrilled to have our child enrolled for the fall in a play-based preschool. But, I just found out that they don't provide any instruction for academics (I had thought they provided a little).

My child is already writing her name correctly and clearly on her own. I have not been pushing her, but instead spent 2 weeks showing her the letters in her name and how to write them. She blew my mind by spelling and writing her name out when I was in another room.

We read our kids lots of books, and she now seems to be showing an interest in reading and learning how to write. We do fun preschool books together where she gets to cut, paste, trace, and write numbers. Is this enough? What else can I do to fill in the gaps academically for what she will not be learning in preschool. I'm not pushing her -- my child is drawn towards this and I'm responding to her. thanks

Your child's preschool sounds wonderful. I really don't like to see the words academic and preschool together. My son will be 4 at the end of August. He knows how to read many words, has recognized his alphabet and most numbers since before age 2, and in our opinion is a very bright little guy. I would not put him in an academic preschool. He currently attends a wonderful parent co-op, The Creative Play Center in Pleasant Hill and he loves it.

There is no concrete evidence that academic preschools, are in the long run , better for children. There is however, numerous research in favor of developmentally appropriate, play based preschools.

I was a teacher and preschool director for many years and I can assure you that most of what kids learn is obtained from home and parents. My goal is to have my children be life long learners. In my opinion, play based, developmentally appropriate preschool is the best possible place to foster this. For more information do a web search and check out the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). They have a wonderful publication entitled Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Children from Birth to Age 8, that I highly encourage you to read. There are several preschool that are accredited by NAEYC, this is always a sign of a great preschool. Good Luck! Hope this helps! Teresa

I reluctantly enrolled my daughter in to a pre-school that was totally un-academic, after moving here from Florida and having my 4 year old already starting to read! after 6 months at Daisy Child Development Center, I am surprisingly pleased. After all, how much time are we really given in life to play? Children are children for such a short time. Kindergarten through high school is their time to enter into academia....not pre-school. Take it from a reluctant mom, who feel academics are very important...............let our children play while they can, afterall, playing is an avenue for learning as well, we want our children to learn how to play nice, too, don't we??? Mama Sola

I have two children--one went to a more ''academic'' preschool and the other is currently attending a play-based preschool. At first I worried about the ''quality'' of the experience my second child would be getting and whether we were ''cheating'' her of the excellent preschool experience her brother had. I was working then and could afford the best preschool available, but now I'm staying at home full-time and can only justify the cost of a cooperative preschool. After a year at a cooperative play-based preschool I am a convert! I realize my first child is the one who missed out on a ''quality'' experience. THE most important thing your child should learn in preschool is how to play creatively with other children. This forms the basis for developing good learning habits and good relationships with other people. A couple of children in our school are like your child--very advanced academically. Yet those children still need to develop the skills of communicating with other children and being creative in their environment. You can continue to provide the academics at home--no teacher at a play-based program will frown on allowing preschoolers to learn their numbers or to start reading--it just is not the focus of the learning environment at the school. I suggest you stick with the play-based preschool and stop fretting. You have made a wise choice for your child that will serve her well in her future academic studies. Maria

Personally, I don't think academics should be ''taught'' in pre- school. Developmentally, kids still benefit from - NEED - lots of playing, exploring, pretending, trying things they think up themselves, etc. There will be more than enough time for formal academics later. If she is interested in letters, there are plenty of opportunities to learn them during play (alphabet puzzles, writing her name on her artwork, looking at the books that will undoubtedly be available to her at school, etc.). Basic math can be explored using toys, counting songs, counting and sorting objects, etc. There is really so much kids can learn that is not specifically academic in nature, but is still vital to their development. Not to mention the social side of pre-school, which can take a lot of a child's energy! I say - continue to be thrilled that your child will spend time playing, and if you feel you must, provide opportunities for more academic-type stuff at home (always optional - don't turn her off by making it a chore!). R.K.

Congratulations on your bright child! You can find out what the preschool provides and then try to supplement at home with other things your child needs. The Usborne books are very good-- inexpensive, brightly colored books for early learners and onward. Continue reading to her and allowing her to write. Encourage her to do what she wants, and don't stop just because others claim you are ''pushing her''. People often don't realize that bright children NEED stimulation and challenge, and if you don't provide it, they will become unhappy, bored, and may start acting out.

I'm afraid to say that most schools will probably never meet her needs, so you will probably spend a lot of time supplementing or may end up homeschooling. You're in for a lot of work! Just don't ever let others convince you to stifle your child... watch out for those who say, ''Let her be a child,'' or ''Why are you pushing her?''

It sounds like you know in your heart what to do. You are NOT pushing her. There are some good email lists on the web for parents of gifted children, where you can find support and excellent suggestions from other parents who are in the same situation. Try http://hoagiesgifted.org for a good start. Good luck! long-suffering parent

Your daughter sounds like she is really ready to learn. And, it sounds like she is learning lots at home. You don't say her age, so it is difficult to give a specific response. In general, however, I'd say to allow your child as much time to play as you possibly can. We turn our children into ''little school children'' far too early, IMHO. The whole essence of childhood is to enjoy life through play, wonder and exploration. If you want a school that offers more academics, why not put her there? In the meantime, since she is doing so much learning at home with you, why not let her enjoy her preschool, playing with other children, and continue her learning at home She sounds exceptionally bright. I'd say she'll be learning everywhere she goes. There's lots of time for her to get more academic, but not much to be full of wonder and fun and play. Ilene

Since you are motivated as parents to work with your daughter in reading and writing, and since she is a self-motivated academic learner, I think that a play- based preschool program is perfect for her. The ''peer'' social skill base that she'll get there is something that you cannot provide, so let her preschool environment do what they do best. Letitia

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