Research and Advocacy
Alliance Seeking New Executive Director
After 40 years of running non-profits, the Alliance's founding director, Joan Almon, is retiring. Although leaving this position, she will continue to work closely with the Alliance as a consultant and researcher on projects concerning children's issues. A search is underway for a new director. Click here for information.
Just Published:The Crisis in Early EducationA Research-Based Case for More Play and Less Pressure by Joan Almon and Edward Miller This four-page article succinctly makes the case for
New Video: Prescription for Play Physicians speak out on the importance Also view our earlier film Playwork: An Introduction
Play in the News
The American Academy of Pediatrics has released its second report on play with a focus on children in poverty. Fun and Leisure: Restoring Play to All Children How children's 'play' is being sneakily redefined Preschool Tests Take Time Away from Play—and Learning All Work and No Play: Why Your Kids are More Anxious, Depressed Two articles on the importance of play in the Boston Globe: Carlo Rotella's op-ed, A Serious Need for Free Play (September 30, 2011), argues that learning through play "is what kids are designed to do." In The Heartbreaking Point: My Family's Struggle to Resist the Winds of Educational Change (August 28, 2011), Laurie Swope describes her son's reaction to "all listening, no playing" in kindergarten. The Globe then published a group of letters responding to Swope's article. Other recent articles on the importance of play: School: It's Way More Boring Than When You Were There The Movement to Restore Children’s Play Gains Momentum Click here for more...
Technology and Young Children: Alliance Urges NAEYC to Take a Stand
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the nation's largest professional organization for early childhood educators, is updating its position statement on Technology and Young Children. The Alliance for Childhood supports the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) and the 70 early childhood experts who have signed a letter urging NAEYC to take a strong stand to limit screen time in the lives of young children. Many articles about computers and media are appearing in the press. See our Facebook page for links.
Advocating for Play and Playwork
The Alliance works with other organizations to advocate for play for all children, both in school and out. It also promotes the profession of playwork. Playworkers support children’s play in parks and other settings without dominating or directing it. For fact sheets, videos, booklets, and more on play and playwork, click here.
New from the Alliance: Where Do the Children Play? A newly revised and expanded edition of the Study Guide to the PBS documentary film, with essays by scholars and teachers on the history, psychology, and politics of children’s free play and the growing movement to bring it back into children’s lives. A selection from the book; ordering information.
Why Children Need to Play in School
Research shows that many kindergartens spend 2 to 3 hours per day instructing and testing children in literacy and math—with only 30 minutes per day or less for play. In some kindergartens there is no playtime at all. The same didactic, test-driven approach is entering preschools. But these methods, which are not well grounded in research, are not yielding long-term gains. Meanwhile, behavioral problems and preschool expulsion, especially for boys, are soaring. A flier and 8-page summary of the report, including recommendations for action, are also available. Fact sheet on kindergarten testing, with advice especially for parents. On May 28, 2009 the Alliance co-hosted a Congressional briefing on early education with the Forum for Education and Democracy. A webinar hosted by KaBoom! and featuring the authors of the report was recorded on June 2, 2009. Click here for media coverage of Crisis in the Kindergarten.
Declaring a Decade for Childhood
The Alliance and the Association for Childhood Education International are preparing to launch an international campaign to improve the conditions of childhood around the world. Too many children grow up without the basic skills needed in a modern world—not only academic skills but also empathy, civility, and a sense of ethical behavior. Many are more comfortable with electronic relationships than face-to-face human ones. Too many are alienated from the world of nature. The long-term effects of an unhealthy childhood will weaken societies that need educated, creative, compassionate, and well-rounded citizens who can bring mature insights to complex issues. The Decade will be launched at the Global Summit on Childhood, in Washington, March 28-31, 2012.
Alliance Childhood poster To order print copies of the 11 x 17 poster ($5) go to the donation page and type "poster" in the note line.
A Dozen Years of Advocacy For the Sake of Children
The Alliance was founded in 1999 so that educators, health professionals, and other advocates for children could join forces to reverse the decline in children's health and well-being. Its public education and advocacy campaigns focus on restoring play to children's lives, the overuse of computers and other advanced technologies in childhood, the commercialization of childhood, and the impact of high-stakes testing on children and their schools. The Alliance has published reports and position statements. It is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization based in College Park, Maryland, with partners and affiliates all over the U.S. and in Europe and South America.
|