TRANSCRIPT:
For South Carolina Public Radio, I'm Dr. Rénard Harris from the College of Charleston. This is Teachable Moments, a minute of education for students and parents.
Kindergarteners used to spend time coloring, cutting with scissors and building with blocks. However, this approach has changed to teacher-led instruction in reading and math.
Many young students missed out on essential learning experiences during the pandemic, making it more crucial to implement recovery efforts. However, play remains an important part of kindergarten.
Research by my colleague Kelley White, professor of early childhood education, shows those who attend a play-based kindergarten still fare well in the transition to an academically rigorous elementary school.
Yes, they need to learn to read and write in kindergarten, but effective teachers find time to integrate play that supports students’ language, cognitive and social-emotional development.
For the College of Charleston, I’m Dr. Rénard Harris.
