I've been poring through the research on ADHD lately. I find it interesting that Barkley's theory about ADHD involves the premise that ADHD is more about a deficit in self-control due to inability to inhibit impulses than a deficit of attention. One thing he's found is that kids with ADHD are less likely to use self-talk to self-regulate their behavior. This recent study is even more intriguing in this light.
All of the recent emphasis on the importance of self-talk just adds more credibility to Vygotsky's theory and his emphasis on private speech (a major source of contention between him and Piaget). Self-regulation doesn't happen automatically. Rather, it occurs first in social interactions, then eventually it becomes internalized; hence the importance of play for Vygotsky. Vygotsky saw play as a means whereby children can learn to control their behavior to a greater extent than normally possible through the taking on of a particular role in a game. For instance, kids can stand still for much longer periods of time while pretending to be guards at a castle than if they are merely told to stand still for as long as they can. I have always thought that play opens the door to allowing us to attempt things just beyond our reach. Now we are finding out that play is an essential part of learning self-regulation in young children. Sadly, many of our preschools are becoming more academic and less focused on playing games involving make-believe and self-control. When was the last time you saw a group of preschoolers playing Red Light Green Light 123? Duck Duck Goose? Mother May I? All of these games teach kids impulse control, and I would argue that these games are even more necessary than teaching preschoolers how to write and read.
12 comments:
I agree in the importance of letting our students have a "play time." I also have my suspects that many students have difficulties paying attention in class because they are limited in play time. They barely have a recess. It is like not allowing them being children.
It makes sense to me that maybe ADHD has to do more with self-control than to attention as children with ADHD have demonstrated to have the ability to pay attention when activities involve that interest them (such as games) and strategies that target self-control.
I completely agree. When I was in preschool, it seemed like we played all day, had nap time and sing-along time and reading time... By the time my friend's little sister went to preschool, (she's 7 years younger than me) she was learning to speak spanish! Somehow this transition took place and academics seem to be a much bigger focus at such a young age. Now, she's in middle school and is a troublemaker and has a harder time focusing on her school work. Coincidence? Who knows. But if it's proven that the play in preschool is beneficial, why wouldn't we do that? Forcing academics on these young children doesn't seem to be working on getting them ahead...
I agree that allowing kids to "play" is a great way for students to learn self control. I feel as though teachers are concentrating too much on academics and not enough on allowing their students to have fun. I believe you can always make learning fun. One thing you could do to teach counting money to younger children includes: allowing students to play like they are working and shopping at the store. One student would be a cashier and the other student a customer. The cashier will have to count change back to the customer. This way students are learning how to count back change and are learning how to mentally add and subtract.
Allowing students to "play" allows them to enjoy learning and stay interested in what they are learning. "Play" is a method that teachers should use regularly in their classrooms.
I agree that children should be allowed to “play”. Teachers are concentrating too much on academics and not focusing on letting kids enjoy themselves and have fun. Students should be allowed to “play” more often in the classrooms. One way to help younger students learn how to count money and add and subtract mentally is by letting your students to play like they are a cashier and a customer. One student is the cashier and another is a customer. The students can buy real objects with fake money and the cashier will have to add up all different prices and give change back to the customer. This is a great way to allow students to “play” while learning math.
“Play” is a great way for students to stay motivated and enjoy learning. Teachers should be using the “play” method more regularly in their classrooms to keep their students engaged.
I completely agree with you that young students should be able to play. I feel that play should have a stronger emphasis placed on it especially in the early elementary years. Overloading these young children with outrageous academic work constantly and giving them no time to play I feel is unreasonable. It makes sense to me that ADHA could possibly have more to do with self-control rather than attention. I also feel that the fact that more students now have ADHD or have difficulties paying attention in class, than ever before is linked to the limited play time, if any that is offered to them. I feel that both academics and play are important and interrelated. I think that we should let our children be children for as long as they can, and stop trying to push them to achieve things that may not be possible cognitively for some children.
My first child did not speak as quickly as other children; however, he did catch up, so I dismissed the concern. He has ADHD and struggles with it daily; he is now 25. If pushing the speech increases self talk and self regulation, resulting in a reduced level of ADHD,than a lot of children will suffer less. It would be fantastic if this really works.
I agree that play is an important role during the preschool years. I recently did a lot of research on the effects of play during the preschool years, and I found that play truly does benefit children in so many ways. I think its sad that schools are taking away this valuable time from children. I observed a preschool class and found that pre-K is not what it was when I went to school. When I was in pre-K, there was a lot of play. In fact, all of the games mentioned were used in my class. The elementary school I observed barely made any time for play. There were even tests that the students had to pass. The school focused on test scores and assignments rather than if the child is actually learning or not. I believe if the students had more time for play, the test scores would actually increase, and the children would be better off.
I think that this is a great post. I just wrote in Module 6 that I plan to encourage play over homework as an elementary school teacher and this further confirms that decision for me. When I observed preschool children they were having free play for half the time that I was there and did somewhat academic things for the other half which seemed to work great. It's interesting to see a comparison between ADHD and kids needing more play time something that I feel most people would think is contradictory. That a child who has ADHD would need less playtime and more centralized focused time.
I couldn't agree more. As an aunt of two young boys, I can't help but see the importance of play. These boys are so energetic, I can't imagine forcing them to sit still for hours at a time, or expect complete silence from them. One is six and the other is four, and while they both have more than enough play time (they are homeschooled), they also both know how to write their names, and the 6-year-old has gotten to be a very good writer. I'm still not convinced of homeschooling being the best option for education, but I am a fan of the idea of holding kids back a year from preschool. This gives them the extra time to play, mature, and I've heard lessens the chance that they will be diagnosed with ADD/ADHD.
I very much agree with this post. I think the lack of play definitely has an impact on a child's inner voice. I know I don't rely on medicines at all myself and it definitely takes strong mental will power to do so. If I didn't have the necessary interactions as a child then I would not be able to do this. -Lawrence Mendez
I can see how these children lack self talk. I coach a young girl who is unable to control herself and alot of times her body. She can not keep focused on me or what I am teaching. And she learns the routines wonderfully, and is a good cheerleader. But her biggest problem is paying attention and at times she will mouth off and doesn't seem to understand that she cannot act that way. There have been times where I have told her to stop moving her body. She'll be clapping or stomping her feet while I'm teaching and she tells me that it's hard for her to stop it. Her mother has told me taht they are still experienting with medications to help her focus, but so far all the meds that she has been on only makes it worse. But what does calm her down is when I let the girls play games. So this concept of "play time" is visibly important to the children and I can see that with this young girl.
I understand that children with ADD or ADHD are unable to take part in self talk or self regulation. I have a young girl that I coach in cheerleading. And she experiences those obsticals. She is always moving, talking to other people, and not paying attention. She is a smart girl, she learns the routines and is a great cheerleader. Though she is always clapping, stomping her feet, and looking anywhere but where I am. I've talked to her and she has told me that it's hard for her to stay still and pay attention. Her mother has told me that they are still experimenting with medications and therefore she is still struggling to focus. But when I let her play with the other girls she is completely different. And I am able to see how play affects her and the importance of it. And with more play time or talking with each other time, she is able to focus a little longer.
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