Mum3 -
I'll wager that lots of our kids would love play-based learning up to age 10 if a few circumstances were in place: (Not sure where to place this age limit, but I know that I drool over Deep Springs College, work not play, but...you get the idea!)
1) our children had 'true peers' to play with, that is, the children were matched not only by age, but by LOG. In remote area, where matching LOG isn't possible, that children be given the option of multiage groups where they are the youngest ones.
2) That the play materials be a match for our children's actual development, not their 'age-assumed' development. 'Jr' Chemistry sets, wood working, crochet, knitting socks, gardening, and board games. Think back 150 years to what 5 year olds did - pretty high level stuff by today's standards.
3) That the teachers knew quite a bit about both the subject matter at hand, so could bring in 'learning ideas' during the play, and about what kids of this LOG enjoy. Therefore story-time read aloud selections might be from "Wizard of Oz Sequels."
4) That there was a recognition that learning that other kids consider 'work' might be considered 'just fun' for these kids.
5) The day is short enough that kids can do their 'real learning' at home, or time is built into the day for each child to work at their own level. It might mean that 'lunch hour mentors' drop by the school to give 'one to one' attention on each child's favorite topic.
Would I win this bet?
(I'd say to write the letter for your own peace of mind, then post it here and we'll help you figure out if any of it can be shared. You want to be sure you don't lose the lessons you've run, and someday, someone may show up looking for ideas on how to run a LOG-appropriate preschool.)
Love and More Love,
Grinity
