Playing to Learn

"During the school day, there should be extended time for play. Research has shown unequivocally that children learn best when they are interested in the material or activity they are learning."

This is what journalist, Susan Engel, of the New York times wrote this week. Certainly, this is the philosophy SCCS holds too and this belief is reflected in our curriculum. I was thinking about this article today as I helped students prepare last minute details for the Living Museum. This is what I observed:

A group of students pretending to bats while creating a cave and discussing echolocation, while another group worked out who would be the horses and riders for the Pony Express. Aubrielle constructed last minute details to her model of Stephens College, while William was playing conductor in the train he built as past of his study of the MKT. Nicole, dressed as Sacajawea, adjusted her papoose and beaded headdress, and Paris got into costume as the flowering Dogwood, the Missouri State tree.

Certainly, all of these students were playing to learn. As they created, pretended, and explored, they learned about Missouri and knew an incredible amount of information. If you were able to make it to the Museum, you know what I'm talking about. This article in the New York Times is a reminder to us that play certainly should a central component of the classroom. We are so glad to experience this model everyday at SCCS.

Read the entire article here.