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TOO MUCH TECHNOLOGY, TOO LITTLE PLAY – THE RISE OF TECHNOLOGY AND DEMISE OF PLAY IN PRESCHOOL EDUCATION

Symposium Highlights Importance of Play and Dangers of Unproven Technology in Early Childhood Education

TORONTO — Decades of research has shown that children’s imaginative play is important for their social, emotional, cognitive and language development. However, some view play as a form of relaxation or entertainment that should be cut from preschool education programs in favor of intense early academic instruction, often using the latest computer technology. This trend is leaving preschoolers intellectually, socially and emotionally ill-prepared for kindergarten and creating children who lack creativity and spontaneity, according to researchers who will present their findings at a symposium presented at the 111th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association (APA) in Toronto.

The panelists and their presentations include:

Dorothy G. Singer, Ed.D, Yale University, Learning School-Readiness Skills Through Guided Play. Dr. Singer will review research that demonstrates the power of play for academic success and how new federal and state guidelines that promote early formal academic curricula are sidelining play, leaving preschoolers intellectually, socially and emotionally ill-prepared for kindergarten.

Sharna Olfman, Ph.D., Point Park College, Pathogenic Trends in Early Childhood Education. Dr. Olfman will discuss how young children are being introduced to complex concepts long before they are ready to master them, denied their need for play, and transformed from a world that is three dimensional to one that is dominated by two dimensional virtual reality. She will show how these trends may be creating children who lack spontaneity, creativity and a love of learning.

Jane M. Healy, Ph.D., Vail, Colorado, Cybertots: Technology and the Preschool Child. Dr. Healy will discuss how the immature human brain neither needs nor profits from attempts to “jump start” it through intense computer technology instruction. She believes that time spent with computers in the early years not only subtracts from important developmental tasks but may also entrench bad learning habits leading to poor motivation and even symptoms of learning disability.

Presentation: “Crisis in Preschool Education – Rise of Technologies and Demise of Play,” Session 4134, 11:00 AM – 12:50 PM, Sunday, August 10, 2003, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building, Street Level, Meeting Room 205C.

Contact information:

Dorothy G. Singer, Ed.D.
Yale University
Phone: (203) 432-4565

Sharna Olfman, Ph.D.
Point Park College
Phone: (412) 271-7103

Jane M. Healy, Ph.D.
Vail, Colorado
Phone: (970) 476-9351

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