I am delighted to have just received a report from the USA from the most eminent researchers and academics in early childhood education. It contains empirical studies of 9 longitudinal studies that discuss the long term learning outcomes for children who have been exposed and experienced the play based curriculum alongside explicit teaching and learning in the early years of school.
As we could have predicted, it is a conclusive document with results showing overwhelming support for the significantly enhanced learning and social outcomes for these children.
The article derides the over emphasis upon explicit teaching and standardized testing in the early years and warns that an actual crisis in the early years of school in the USA is occurring.
The report highlights that in places such as New York, where an emphasis on explicit teaching to the exclusion of play and active engagement has not resulted in improved learning outcomes for children.
We will be posting a website address and the executive summary of this report on our website this week.
Keep a look out for it.