Never underestimate the learning power of play. One of Parks findings is that children 【C1】______valuable learning opportunities when unstructured play is reduced or eliminated【C2】______more time in the classroom. 'I think a lot of public school systems【C3】______to see the importance of play,' says Parks, assistant professor of early childhood education. '【C4】______, play is under-valued and lot of that is because of top-down【C5】______over standards and testing.' 'Their work is often framed in trying to【C6】______out whats wrong with these kids. Its very【C7】______and not at all what I【C8】______as a classroom teacher. ' 'I found the children【C9】______to learn, and their families were supportive and curious,' she adds. 'So when I got to academia, I thought it was【C10】______to read all these studies about kids not being【C11】______, or not being able to solve problems.' So she【C12】______her own research project with a different approach. She is【C13】______the same minority group of 14 young children for three years, starting in【C14】______, to see how they learn mathematics, both in the【C15】______classroom setting as well as informally in school, and at home. 'Just sitting there, looking at what is happening in their【C16】______surroundings, you can find things that【C17】______you,' she says. She hopes her research will prove how important play is to【C18】______problem-solving skills, and in other critical ways. 【C19】______there is something else, just as important for Parks. 'It is the equity piece of trying to change the conversation in the research community about what kids can do generally, and what minority kids can do【C20】______,' she says. 【C1】