The Atlantic

Why Free Play Is the Best Summer School

The more time children spend in structured, parent-guided activities, the worse their ability to work productively towards self-directed goals.
Source: Jessica Lahey

Most schools across the nation have marked the end of another academic year, and it’s time for summer. Time for kids to bolt for the schoolhouse doors for two long months of play, to explore their neighborhoods and discover the mysteries, treasures, and dramas they have to offer. This childhood idyll will hold true for some children, but for many kids, the coming of summer signals little more than a seasonal shift from one set of scheduled, adult-supervised lessons and activities to another.

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