Children often seek challenges that match their abilities, as demonstrated by their preference for climbing over using a slide's stairs. This behavior highlights the importance of authentic play in child development. Unstructured play, where children decide how, when, and what to play without adult intervention, is a key driver of learning.
This type of play fosters executive functions, including planning, self-regulation, and sustained attention. These skills are crucial for academic success and overall individual development. Conversely, when technology dictates activities, children become passive, fragmenting their attention and losing control of their learning.
Education should prioritize the intrinsic value of knowledge, art, and play. The traditional, behaviorist model, which focuses on rote memorization and hierarchical authority, often leads to unmotivated students. Recent advancements in educational neuroscience, supported by organizations like the OECD, show that the 'more is better' approach is a misconception.
Countries like Finland, which delay formal education until age seven and emphasize play, consistently achieve high results in the PISA report. Learning should stem from a child's genuine interest, fostering motivation, creativity, and innovation. By embracing unstructured play and respecting a child's natural development, we can cultivate well-rounded, capable, and truly educated individuals.