Outlining plans in an interview with The Herald newspaper, Mr Henry said that all local authorities must review or start to review their P1 teaching policies by August.
'One of the things I am particularly concerned about is the tendency in Scotland to start the formal education process at too young an age,' he said. 'Children in P1 still need time to develop, and I want to see more of a gradual transition from the nursery years into primary education.'
Bronwen Cohen, chief executive of Children in Scotland, supported the move.
She said, 'It's good we're doing this in P1, but I wonder how this will fit in with early years provision where there's a more fragmented structure.
'We need to look at play in the last years of pre-school too. And it does raise the issue of whether we should be looking at a later age for starting school.'
Judith Gillespie, policy development officer at the Scottish Parent-Teacher Council, expressed a more cautious view. 'Children are often very excited about learning to read and do formal work, and the curriculum should not be so crowded with requirements that a teacher cannot be flexible and vary activities and lessons,' she said. 'We need to keep a balance and be careful not to get swept along in enthusiasm for play.'
Concerns were also raised about the training needs of P1 teachers under the new approach. However, a spokes- man for the Educational Institute of Scotland said, 'Nursery teachers are already highly trained in using structured play as a means to facilitate learning. Carrying this over into P1 is a logical step as a part of the developing the 3-18 Curriculum and a Curriculum for Excellence.
'The fact that P1 teachers are also qualified to work in a nursery setting should allow this to develop smoothly, with clear benefits for young pupils.'