What 1 Expert Says About Play Could Change Your Child's Future

Bridging the gap between a child's home life and school life is vital to a child's success both in and out of the classroom. The more a teacher knows and understands about your child — his interests, strengths, the way he likes to do things — the better she can serve him in ways that both directly and indirectly affect learning.

From Christakis's perspective, two things teachers want children to be armed with when they start preschool are social and emotional skills, both of which are linked to academic success and can be achieved through play.