I've written about this topic before here: Top SAT scores begin in the Sandbox. However, it bears repeating: When I work with high school students who are studying for their college entrance exams, I sometimes see evidence of what I have come to refer to as a Sandbox Deficit. Children who don't spend enough time in unstructured play fail to develop the foundation for basic math, reading and science. To compensate, they memorize steps, algorithms and strategies, but that only takes them so far.
Unfortunately, academics are getting pushed to earlier and earlier ages. The good news is that more people are waking up to the problem. Spread the news! Share the studies! And make time for children to play!
The most recent article I have run across regarding this subject can be found here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/02/06/a-really-scary-headline-about-kindergarteners/
And here is what Matt Walsh had to say about the same headline referred to in the above article:
http://themattwalshblog.com/2014/02/10/your-5-year-old-failed-a-standardized-test-therefore-he-is-stupid-insane-and-doomed-to-a-life-of-failure/
