How Children Learn

The November 15 Science News has a brief review of a multi-author book entitled Einstein Never Used Flash Cards: How Our Children Really Learn and Why They Need to Play More and Memorize Less . The review states that the authors “encourage parents to allow children to learn problem solving and creativity through play rather than through scheduled activities, organized classes, and other structured events. The authors cite a wealth of research indicating that children who learn through play also develop social and emotional skills that serve them throughout life. The book provides data that contradict the belief that memorization fosters long-term retention or higher IQs. The book describes how everyday games and other activities can foster learning. For instance, there’s math in sharing french fries or cutting a cake. Shapes are everywhere, and therefore so is geometry. The authors assert that this type of awareness will help parents cultivate smart, well-rounded, and less anxious children.”

No doubt there’s some trendy pomo anti-authoritarianism in this, but it also rings true. Yahweh, after all, trained his people not only through instruction in the Torah but also through “playful” rituals and festivals. Sacraments are more than drama and play, but they are that as well.