From the author of a very good article (see below) about challenging our assumptions about learning:

Among its many benefits, daydreaming has been associated with longer attention span, increased resolve, creativity and even higher IQ.

To which I am tempted to add:

If a creative person does not spend at least a half hour a day, half paying attention to the world, lost in thoughts about what might be, how it might be done, and how everything could change, he or she is not doing what needs to be done. Drifting off, checking out from the “normal,” simply shutting out the real world for a bit… if you don’t do that, how in the world will you accomplish anything useful at all.

Now, consider these assumptions:

1. Playing scary and violent video games help children master their fears in real life
2. Practical classroom science lab work provides children little learning
3. Gardening improves children’s desire to learn and boosts their confidence
4. Teaching kids at a very early age is counterproductive to their learning
5. Green spaces elevate children’s learning through discovery
6. Learning is affected by classroom acoustics, artificial learning, and windows
7. Young children learn about prejudice by instruction, older children by experience
8. Laughing results in increased memory retention

Now, read the article from InfomED: An online commentary for the education industry.  And allow yourself a good half hour to further explore other terrific articles including “Can We Teach Compassion?” (an infographic); “Facilitating Collaborative Learning: 20 Things You Need to Know from the Pros” and “The Tyranny of Homework…”