If Play Was the Process

"The process is just as important as the project." (Hammond 35)

       Sometimes the importance of a project is so imminence that a person's mind is only set on the objective of getting it done. It doesn't matter how it's done as long as the project is finished. This mentality can distract from the truth that, as the author of KaBOOM! states, "the process is just as important as the project." The process can directly affect the outcome of the project. Now, apply this to learning. Many teachers and parents have the mentality that the "project" or the outcome is the only thing that matters. There is only one fact most people consider: is the child learning or not? Sense the method is of no consequence, it is usually formed in the most straight forward approach, in a manner that is simplest for the adult. The most common mentality for learning is presented in the dullest of manners: tell them what they need to know, test them to see if they learned. A teacher stands at the head of a class of young children. He/she explained in lengthy speeches what it is the children are expected to know, then, at a certain time, the children are faced with a quiz to test their knowledge. This teachers overlooked the process. For younger students  this instructors methods are counterproductive. If a "process", in this case the process of teaching, is changed, creatively composed, and engaging, the instructor will find that their students will grasp the concept quicker, using experiences to help these concepts stand out in their minds. Hammond was directing this quote to the building of playgrounds. He was stating that the process of building a playground was just as important as the project itself. This is something that can be applied to teaching. Children learn better when the process of learning is constructive and engaging. If play is the "process" and learning the "project", the "process" will ensure the best version of the outcome of the "project".