Any experiences with play-based learning?

[Anonymous]

from our experience there is a huge gap in the kinds of work play-based schools do... it's really hard to generalize.

at PP's school it seems like they the kids didn't really learn a lot about reading, math, etc. and the child had to "work harder" in k as a result.

at the school my daughter attended that wasn't t the case. they had a wide variety of activities like puzzles with words, magnet toys that teach you how to count, etc. in fact, most of the kids end up in the top reading groups at their elementary schools and could easily do addition before they left pre-k.

at my son's school, which different but also play-based, they spent equal amounts of time on games/activities related to science, social studies, etc. as they did on reading and math so the kids didn't leave the program with tons of reading/math "skills." but they had been taught things like the concept of groups/sorting, etc. and were able to grasp the concept of putting letters together to make words, etc. so while most of his class did not end up in the top reading group in K they caught up to the "early readers" by the end of the year.

We loved both programs but if I had to choose I'd say I was happier with the second as it emphasized a wider variety of skills. I don't remember what curriculum the first place used but the second was definitely Creative curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Any recs for very, very play-based preschools? (Basically, where do the hippies go?) We may be relocating to DC this year, and I'm having a hard time finding anything that looks anything like the program we're currently in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any recs for very, very play-based preschools? (Basically, where do the hippies go?) We may be relocating to DC this year, and I'm having a hard time finding anything that looks anything like the program we're currently in.

Try the Waldorf schools in the area. Acorn Hill is one very well-regarded one.

[Anonymous]

There are several outdoor preschools too. If you do a search on outdoor preschools, play-based preschools, or reggio preschools here, you'll probably find a program that you like.

[Anonymous]

hippie school = oneness

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any recs for very, very play-based preschools? (Basically, where do the hippies go?) We may be relocating to DC this year, and I'm having a hard time finding anything that looks anything like the program we're currently in.

St. Paul's on Connecticut Ave. in DC. No web presence, though.