Happy Friday,

Over the past few weeks, I had been hearing a lot about someone named Gypsy Rose. It was not until I was at my barber recently that I got some details into her story and the show on Hulu about her life. My wife and I have just finished watching it, and it left me with so many questions. First, it should be acknowledged that munchausen by proxy, the mental disorder from which her mother suffered, is really awful. But I’m left wondering how her doctors were complicit in maintaining the lie about her condition for so long. Also how child protective services, even though notified, failed to protect her from her mother. Though I’m sure the show is missing a ton of details about her life, it seems as though there were many opportunities to assist her before she felt compelled to take drastic measures on her own (I won’t reveal what those are for those of you who haven’t watched “The Act”).

I hope that all doctors do uphold their oath to protect their patients, but stories like these give me pause.

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One Big Idea

The Power of Guided Play in Learning

The best practices of child development are continually evolving, and a recent study has shed new light on a crucial aspect: while most parents recognize the importance of play, the educational value of guided play is often underestimated. This form of play is distinct from free play in that it involves an adult initiating an activity but allowing the child to lead the way, exploring and learning towards specific goals. It establishes a balance of guidance and freedom, creating an environment for learning skills that are vital for early development like language, math and literacy.

The study, surveying over a thousand US parents, revealed a preference for free play as the most beneficial for learning, followed by guided play. However, the research consensus tells a different story. Guided play, often overlooked, is shown to be more effective in areas such as STEM skills development and language acquisition. This discrepancy between parental perception and educational research highlights a gap in understanding the full potential of play in learning. I can count myself in those who did not realize the benefits of guided play and will be making more of an effort to initiate these practices moving forward!

Here’s a dad joke

What sounds like a sneeze and is made of leather?

Scroll to the bottom of the newsletter for the answer!

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