Additionally, sitting still is an advanced balancing skill for which young children are not yet developmentally equipped. But here are three compelling reasons why more play in early education can help reduce the prevalence of challenging behaviors. Since there’s to be no intervention from an outside source, self-regulation can’t be “taught” by insisting that children sit still or be quiet. The children learn to become tolerant of others’ ideas and to accept the similarities and differences of other children. When we understand that challenging behaviors are on the increase precisely because young children have almost no time to play, we will recognize that a play-based curriculum not only results in fewer behavior challenges but is also the only acceptable curriculum for young children.

Source: Huffington Post May 22, 2025 05:05 UTC