The Art of Manliness

Let the Children Play!

Oct 20, 2021

45:14

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Highlights

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Episode notes

Is There a Trend in Creativity in Schools?

02:57

What Makes a Good Play?

03:06

Are You Developing Your Executive Functions?

02:08

Introduction

2min

Let the Children Play

4min

What Is Driving the Decline of Primary School Standards?

4min

You're a Coach, a Recess Coach

2min

Play in the Schools

3min

Is Your Child Learning to Read Early?

3min

Is There Less Play in School?

3min

The Children's Experience of Not Having Control of Their Own Life

3min

The Consequences of Lack of Play

3min

10.

Are You Developing Your Executive Functions?

2min

11.

Is There a Causal Connection Between Play and Academic Learning?

3min

12.

The Lack of Physical Activity in Primary Schools

2min

13.

Is There a Connection Between Physical Activity and Mental Health?

2min

14.

Is There a Trend in Creativity in Schools?

3min

15.

What Makes a Good Play?

3min

16.

The Author of the Book, Let the Children Play

2min

In Finland, children don't start formal schooling until age seven, aren't subject to standardized testing, and always get at least one hour of physical activity a day, broken into 15-minute free-play breaks every hour, which take place outside no matter the weather. Finnish parents and teachers espouse mantras like, "Let children be children," "The children must play," and "The work of a child is to play." Yet despite this emphasis on play, Finnish students still achieve enviable academic outcomes, and grow up to become some of the happiest adults on earth.

My guest today says that the Finnish model of education and parenting, with its heavy emphasis on play, is worth replicating in other countries. His name is Pasi Sahlberg and he's a Finnish educator and researcher currently living in Australia, as well as the co-author, along with William Doyle, of the book Let the Children Play: How More Play Will Save Our Schools and Help Children Thrive. Pasi begins our conversation by sharing what the data says as to how much less kids are playing today than they did in the past, and the factors that have led to this decrease both at school and at home. We discuss the fact that even the play kids do now engage in is more structured and adult-directed, even sometimes involving something called a "recess coach," and how this has led to the sad phenomenon of children who no longer know how to play on their own. We then discuss what is lost when kids don't play enough, from a decline in physical and mental confidence to a decrease in creativity. We end our conversation with the elements of healthy play that educators and parents who want to revive it can look to incorporate in their children's lives.