Let the Children Play

’No, our children don’t need more school. They need more play. If we care about our children and future generations, we must reverse the horrid trend that has been occurring over the past half century. We must give childhood back to children. Children must be allowed to follow their inborn drives to play and explore, so that they can grow into intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically strong and resilient adults.’

Dr Peter Gray, research professor of psychology at Boston College and author of the acclaimed textbook ‘Psychology’ (Worth Publishers) strongly believes in the value of play for children’s development. Here are his arguments in an excellent article published in response to Michael Gove’s plan to make school days longer and holidays shorter - a solution meant to raise test scores in the UK:

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/give-childhood-back-to-children-if-we-want-our-offspring-to-have-happy-productive-and-moral-lives-we-must-allow-more-time-for-play-not-less-are-you-listening-gove-9054433.html?utm_source=JANUARY+2014+UPDATE&utm_campaign=SCM+JAN+2014+UPDATE&utm_medium=email