Look Back: Kappan authors on play and learning

Abstract

In this monthly column, Teresa Preston looks back at how Phi Delta Kappan has covered the topic of play in schools. Although Kappan authors have generally agreed that having fun and playing are important, articles dedicated to the topic of play are relatively rare. Most such articles appeared in the 1980s and later and focused on how play is imperiled in schools, despite its value for learning. Some authors advocated a fully play-based structure in which students are able to direct their own learning. Others, however, advocated for more guidance from teachers.