The school district said change has resulted in fewer behavioral problems.
THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. — The Tumwater School District has implemented mandatory play-based learning across all kindergarten classrooms, requiring one hour of daily free play while maintaining traditional instruction in reading and writing fundamentals.
Misty Hinkle, Tumwater’s director of Elementary Education, explained that kindergarten teachers dedicate one hour daily to free play focused on standards and skills, with remaining time devoted to direct instruction.
Hinkle emphasized that academic standards remain unchanged.
“We are still teaching the standards, but it’s just through play that we’re doing that,” said Hinkle, “If we just put
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