Pay to ‘just’ play?

We have all the time in the world to teach facts, but only this very limited window to develop the building blocks that integrate the senses so that when children come to the classroom, they are capable of sitting, taking little notice of distractions, and harnessing their curiosity for desk-based learning. This playful foundation for academics serves them to grow as creative learners and doers.

Edinburgh P1s breaking for the summer holidays as we post are among the youngest in the world to have embarked on their school careers. Scottish research has established that there are significant differences in children’s levels of development at age five. The top performing countries in the worldwide educational study, PISA, by contrast, all start school at age six or seven.

ESS is the flagship independent school in Scotland’s capital offering a Kindergarten stage for pupils under seven. We wholly support the ongoing campaign to raise Scotland’s school starting age to six for all.

The body of international evidence hailing the benefits of play-based early years was once again debated in the Scottish Parliament last month. ‘Fostering a Discussion on a Kindergarten Stage in Scotland can be watched online now. (Ignore the message that it’s suspended – just press the starting arrow).

Gift your child a holistic, seamless, journey through education from a toddler to teenager. Apply to begin in August now: Admissions

Photo credit: Grimm’s Toys, their open-ended playthings treasured in many of our 2,000 kindergartens worldwide. ‘Inspired by the Waldorf Steiner educational movement which advocates learning through thoughtful, creative play at an unhurried pace.’