"Over-parenting's faulty logic"
Madeline Levine, SF Gate, August 10, 2012

"Counterintuitive as it seems, the very things we're doing to secure our children's futures can end up compromising them. Pushing and over-scheduling prevent them from becoming competent adults capable of the resilience, perseverance, motivation and grit that business leaders say they'll need to compete in tomorrow's workforce. Just as importantly, it interferes with the ability to cultivate healthy relationships and to feel that life is meaningful.

"Many parents have significant misunderstandings about how children learn and what circumstances are likely to drive success in them. Our (culturally sanctioned) faulty thinking is pushing us to do, in many cases, the exact opposite of what kids need to thrive.
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"Studies show that kids enrolled in academic-based preschools actually tend to fall behind their peers who attend play-based preschools by the fourth grade.
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"Self-directed play is the work of childhood. It's a classroom in which kids develop a whole set of skills that really matter in life. Consider what happens in a simple game of chase: Kids must agree on the game and cooperate with each other. They must determine who will be the leader, who will be the follower and when it's time to renegotiate. When we fill their days with classes, practices and games, there's just no time left for learning these critical lessons.

"Most experts agree that kids should have twice as much unstructured free time as structured playtime. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends at least 60 minutes a day. If they can get that 60 minutes outdoors - climbing trees, chasing fireflies or playing baseball in an empty lot - so much the better."

Education Isn’t a Game, But Should It Be?
Lauren Landry, Bostinno, July 24, 2012

"What you’ll sometimes hear teachers and developers say is that they want children to be learning without even realizing it. And while Klopfer admits the idea sounds like a good one, the larger goal should be to help students shake their fear of learning and have them realize education can be fun. "

"10 Surprising Ways To Choose A Great Video Game (For Your Kids)"
Shira Lee Katz, Common Sense Media, June 4, 2012

"Great games transport kids to another place. You know the signs. Brows furrowed. Thumbs zooming. Yes, you may have to set limits for games that suck time at the expense of other activities. But it's a good sign when games put kids in a state of "flow." Games that draw kids in require concentration or imagination and present challenges just beyond their comfort zone."

"Having choices can make kids feel powerful. Kids who get to decide which path to take or how to spend their virtual money often feel responsible for their fate in a game. In turn, they feel motivated. Games with lots of choices and opportunities for exploration can help kids feel ownership over the experience."

"Wired & Unplugged Ways to Encourage Summer Learning"
Jason Koebler, US News, July 1, 2011

"Students can forget as much as two months' worth of math and reading instruction over the summer, according to some reports. To keep their children on track, many parents have enrolled them in summer learning programs. But for students who are unable to attend one, playing certain video games or practicing skills around the house can help.

""People don't often think about games as a way to exercise the brain," says Patrick Supanc, president of College and Career Readiness at textbook publisher Pearson. "But even mainstream games have some really important elements in them that help students develop important skills.""