Recently, a friend of mine asked me a question. She wanted to know my opinion about an educational curriculum for babies and young children, as she was considering using it with her 8-month-old.  I mention this because I believe most parents can relate to the essence of her question: “What can I do to help my child ‘get ahead’ academically?” I think the fear is that in our increasingly competitive and technologically advanced society, parents fear their child might get “left behind.” Many parents try desperately to educate their young children by relying upon other parents, popular books, and toys presented by the media as their guides.  As a parent, I can relate to the strong pull I feel to help prepare my children academically; to do everything I can to provide them with a scholastic advantage.  The temptation to run out and purchase every learning toy, educational computer game, or reading curriculum I hear other moms raving about because “Little Sally has all her upper case AND lower case letters memorized…” is sometimes nearly overpowering.  I’m not saying I don’t ever buy these things, I do.  But before running directly to the nearest toy store, I always try to run things through my “What I Know and Believe About Children” filter. 

I know that young children learn best through their life experiences; specifically, through their play. They thrive in a predictable, safe environment in which they are provided with toys that facilitate creative expression, such as blocks, cars, dollhouses, clay, arts and crafts materials, sand, water, musical instruments, books, dress-up clothes, etc.  Children make great strides physically, emotionally, and cognitively when they are provided with rich life experiences, like trips to the zoo, museums, libraries, playgrounds, the outdoors in general, and countless other places where they learn by experiencing new things. 

I believe that young children learn best when learning is fun, not necessarily when learning is a structured curriculum. We spend most of our lives in structured learning environments.  Once formal education begins children have much less time available to them for unstructured free play.  So, as contradictory as it may seem, letting children “just play” may be one of the best ways to help prepare them for the future.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating that parents never teach their children anything.  Teaching moments will inevitably come because children are naturally so curious.  Go with that curiosity and make it fun.  And the next time you are at the park and you overhear another parent talking about the latest and greatest educational movie for toddlers, relax. Go pick up your little one, and head for the sandbox.