DOVER – Play-based learning could soon be restored to the classrooms of Delaware’s youngest learners thanks to legislation introduced Thursday by Rep. Sherae’a “Rae” Moore.
The Delaware Play to Learn Act would encourage public school districts and the Delaware Department of Education to create more learning environments where free and guided play are used to foster the development of creativity, social skills, and executive brain function among students in pre-K through third grade.
“Research consistently shows that young children learn best through play, using it to explore, practice, and develop essential skills. Over the last 25 years, federal policies and an intense focus on high-stakes testing have gradually reduced opportunities for play in our classrooms,” said Rep. Moore, Vice Chair of the House Education Committee and an educator in the Appoquinimink School District.
“Rather than improving academic performance, the removal of play-based learning in early education has contributed to an increase in mental health challenges and behavioral concerns among young students,” she explained. “This legislation will give school districts the flexibility to better support early-childhood educators by removing barriers that limit their ability to create an environment where children can once again experience the joy and excitement vital to their growth, development, and well-being.”
Specifically, House Bill 15 would protect the ability of early childhood educators in Delaware public schools to re-incorporate play-based learning back into their academic lessons in ways that encourage movement, creative expression, and exploration, as well as the social, emotional and cognitive development of students.
HB 15 also would allow local school districts and DOE to provide early-childhood educators with ongoing professional development to help facilitate wider adoption of play-based learning methods.
Play-based learning at early grade levels has been shown to support early-childhood development and enhance long-term educational outcomes. Sustained and active play has been shown to improve creative thinking, cognitive flexibility, and self-regulation, as well as improved reading and math scores in later grades.
As a result, both red and blue states have taken steps in recent years to foster a return of play-based learning, including New Hampshire, Connecticut and Oklahoma.
“The future success of public education in Delaware depends on our willingness to break free from antiquated models that do not contribute to the long-term success of our children and instead invest in systems that are informed by the voices and experiences of our dedicated public educators, backed by science,” said Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend, the Senate prime sponsor of HB 15.
“I commend Rep. Moore for sponsoring this legislation and I want to thank the public school educators throughout our state who have worked hard to restore play-based learning in our schools.”
HB 15 is endorsed by the Delaware State Education Association, the largest labor union in the First State representing nearly 14,000 public educators from every one of the state’s geographically defined school districts, three countywide vo-tech schools and multiple charter schools.
“Our members who are fortunate to work in school districts where play-based learning is already being actively encouraged tell us their students are performing better academically, less likely to miss school, and more capable of problem solving collaboratively even at early ages,” DSEA President Stephanie Ingram said. “For children, play is not frivolous. Play is essential. And it’s time we start valuing the way children actually learn over how much we can force feed them.”
HB 15 has been assigned to the House Education Committee.
