(That Time Edutopia Quoted Me) Play-Based Learning

The Power of Play-Based Learning in preschool and elementary school | Edutopia

For Young Kids, The Power of Play-Based Learning

New research shows play-based learning can be more effective than direct instruction at improving outcomes for early learners—particularly in the development of mathematical and spatial skills.

By Andrew Boryga

August 5, 2022

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However, my piece read:

"For example, when children are playing with blocks, open-ended questions can be posed to encourage problem-solving, prediction, and hypothesizing, according to veteran teacher and curriculum manager for Edmentum Winnie O’Leary. A teacher can bring awareness to math standards by asking students low-stakes questions such as “I wonder how tall this tower can get?” or “I wonder how many blocks you need to make that tower as tall as your friend’s?”

Simple questions can also encourage practice recalling information and identifying shapes, objects, or colors, according to O’Leary. During a game of Go Fish, for example, you can ask, “Hey, who had the number 4 in the last round?” Or during a game of Uno you might ask, “Hmm, what color card do you need to add to the center deck?” Games involving strategy—like checkers or tic-tac-toe—are great to get students thinking critically about their objectives and how to adjust them based on what is happening during the game. Try questions like “I wonder what move you could have made to win?”

Use these strategies wisely, though, the researchers caution. In the end, hints and questions should not feel like directives."

Winnie O'Leary

Winnie O’Leary has spent over 25 years in education as a classroom teacher, school board member, a family advocate, special education teacher, curriculum writer, National Intervention Specialist and Educational Initiative Manager. Winnie earned a BA from Mary Washington College and an MEd from the University of New Orleans. Her experiences have allowed her to work with districts all over the country where she finds something new and exciting every day.