Playful Learning: An Alternate Approach to Preschool [Spiral-bound]

Anne Engelhardt (Author), Cheryl Sullivan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1986 | ISBN-10: 0912500301 | ISBN-13: 978-0912500300 | Edition: 4th printing

The authors of "Playful Learning" have done an excellent job in developing a book that appeals to parents & educators alike, providing a multi-purpose guide for adults who work with young children. With quotes from well-known child development experts--Dorothy Briggs, Jim Trelease, Louise Bates Ames, Burton White, & many others, as well as the parents whose children have participated in at-home preschools--the authors present creative ideas for fun & learning at home. But "Playful learning" offers more than learning activities. Throughout the book, the authors weave child development theory with practice so the reader is left with an interest in the development & potential of every child.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 465 pages
• Publisher: La Leche League International; 4th printing edition (August 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0912500301
• ISBN-13: 978-0912500300
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #915,498 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars recipe for a loving, atmosphere for pre-school learning, June 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Playful Learning: An Alternate Approach to Preschool (Spiral-bound)

I enjoyed reading this well organized and informative book. This book has helped me to provide educational activities that teach my child with fun play in a loving home. It has allowed us to introduce him to "school" in a positive nurturing environment. He is learning independence and social interactions without going into a daycare situation. We (several other moms and I) are now organizing a cooperative pre-school for our children in our own homes. The book provides background research, example lesson plans, general themes, and a Bibliography.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't recommend it enough!, January 14, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Playful Learning: An Alternate Approach to Preschool (Spiral-bound)

If you're the parent of a preschool age child (3-5) and aren't totally comfortable with the idea of trusting these early learning years to a stranger, I'd strongly recommend this book. It is packed with encouragement for parents and tons of fun activities to do with kids. Although the authors advocate beginning (or joining) a co-op preschool at home, it's suitable for homeschoolers too. A co-op preschool may be something I consider at a later time, but right now we're just getting our feet wet with learning. I always thought I'd send my precious little one off to a swanky preschool when the time came, but he's 4 now and the time is here, and neither one of us are ready for anything like that. We're having so much fun playing and learning together. I always thought learning at home would be frustrating (for me) and boring (for him), but it's really not if you take it in stride and follow your child's lead for the most part. The first part of this book "exposes" the history of preschool and why it ever came into being (whereas kids used to start school in 1st grade), and why it may not be the best thing for your child. It's really sad the way we parents compete with the Joneses...we want our child to talk first, spell first, add first, read first...etc. And so many of us are afraid that not sending them to preschool will cause them to be "behind" when the time for actual school (or homeschool) comes. How many of us have felt like wanting to crawl under the carpet when caught up in a group of of mothers who incessantly brag about their children's accomplishments ("My Mary could read when she was 4"..."My Johnny could add when he was 4 and a half"...My Sarah already knows all the names of the planets, and she's only in kindergarten"...) This book deals with all of those questions and insecurities quite well. Hope you find it as helpful as I have!

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Preschool for Homeschoolers and Others, June 1, 2000

By 

"finkenwalde" (Ft. Bragg, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Playful Learning: An Alternate Approach to Preschool (Spiral-bound)

As a homeschooling family, we have chosen to bypass day care, preschool, and traditional school. This book reinforced our views on maintaining the special parent-child bond in childhood while incorporating the stimulating environment our children need for their mental, physical, social, and emotional development. This book won't sit on the shelf.