Let the Children Play: For the Learning, Well-Being, and Life Success of Every Child

The ability of children to be creative and apply the lessons learned from playing is essential for their lifelong success. Play, including physical activity, the arts, and free play, is being eliminated in society and schools, despite financial investment. Let the Children Play, by authors Pasi Sahlberg and William Doyle, reveals how intellectual and physical play is the ultimate engine of transforming education and the key to giving children the well-being, happiness, and skills they need to thrive in the 21st century.

Format: Hardback
Length: 480 pages
Publication date: 22 October 2020
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The lifelong success of children is intricately linked to their ability to be creative and apply the lessons learned from engaging in various forms of play. However, a concerning trend emerges as play, encompassing physical activity, the arts, and even free play, is being eliminated from our society and schools. Despite substantial financial investments, these education policies have failed to yield positive outcomes in terms of improved learning. In their book, Let the Children Play, the authors, both fathers of school-age children, share their personal experiences of switching countries. Pasi Sahlberg, a Finnish individual, relocated his family to the United States, while William Doyle, an American, chose to move his family to Finland. These unexpected transitions prompted them to write this insightful book. Through extensive research and captivating case histories from Finland, China, Singapore, Scotland, New York, Texas, and various parts of the world, the authors unveil the profound impact of intellectual and physical play on transforming education. They emphasize that play is the ultimate engine that empowers children with the well-being, happiness, and skills necessary to thrive in the 21st century, including curiosity, creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and empathy. This book is written with parents, educators, and policymakers in mind, offering a compelling vision of an inspiring future for children's education. It provides valuable insights on how to make this vision a reality, fostering a nurturing environment that nurtures the holistic development of our children.

Weight: 586g
Dimension: 145 x 222 x 43 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192894168