07 February 2012

Authors call for more creative play in schools

As anyone familiar with Pyjama Drama will know, imaginative play is a subject very close to our heart.  In fact, it's the foundation of our entire programme and is part of all of our classes.

So we were delighted to see the news this morning that some highly respected children's authors and academics have written a letter to the Telegraph to call for more creative play based learning for the under fives, rather than an emphasis, at that age, on formal 'mechanical' learning.  

Listen below to Sue Palmer, author of Toxic Childhood, literacy expert and signatory to the letter, explain on Radio 4 more about how they believe childhood is being erroded and how important it is at this young age, to encourage learning that focus on social and emotional development.

Our work with schools and nurseries has demonstrated time and time again the value of imaginative, drama based play in developing confidence, communication, co-operation and creative problem solving skills.  Let's let children be children for just a while longer rather than trying to rush them down the path of formal academic learning.