Emphasizing a balance between structured activities and free time is crucial for managing the school year smoothly
Professor Michael Savage, an Educational Studies expert at Brock University, emphasizes the importance of unstructured time and play for people of all ages. This is particularly relevant as families prepare for the upcoming school year in Philadelphia.
Savage acknowledges the benefits of a relaxed summer for children. He believes that this period helps them destress and avoid toxic stress, which can be detrimental to their overall well-being. However, he also highlights the need to gradually roll back bedtimes to prepare children for earlier wake-up routines.
Introducing more structure and school-type activities before the school year can help avoid a shock to the system, according to Savage. This includes review and reinforcement, particularly in math, due to the 'summer slide' phenomenon, where students tend to lose a lot of their math skills during the summer break.
Savage advises against an all-or-nothing approach. Instead, he suggests a balance between structure and free time. For children with autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a level of structure is necessary in unstructured environments.
Research shows that unstructured play for children is beneficial for problem solving, social skills, and cooperative skills. This recommendation is particularly applicable to families who opted for a more unstructured summer. Safe spaces for free play, appropriate supervision, limiting screen time, and navigating financial barriers are important considerations for incorporating more free play.
Savage recommends re-introducing September routines before the start of the school year. Allowing students to have a say in the classroom routines is beneficial from a psychological point of view. This approach encourages better buy-in and enforcement.
Educators should also strive to strike a balance between drilling down on the fundamentals and engaging with one another to build a sense of community in the classroom. Families are encouraged to spend the remaining summer days balancing between unstructured play and building routines.
Michael Savage brings a unique perspective to education, with a background in education, clinical psychology, and experience as an elementary and secondary school teacher. His insights offer a valuable guide for families and educators as they prepare for the new school year.
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