Who would have thought playing pretend with your toddler helps them succeed academically later in life! Well that’s exactly what researchers at Utah State University discovered when they analyzed the results of their 15 year study. Education Week magazine published an article on the research and findings here. Education Week is a magazine dedicated to spreading educational news. They publish articles related to education research, technology in education, and teaching.
The research found that stimulating play, such as playing pretend, helped students later on in school. The study also found that discussing books and acting out a story also promoted future academic success. So after reading your next story, why not take a few minutes to act it out with your little one? Or the next time you see your child jumping from couch to couch to avoid the “lava” why not play along? Who knows how embracing your inner child today will benefit your child later.
*Bettendorf Public Library is not responsible for damage to persons or property as a result of attempting to avoid “lava”*
