Preschooler Play or Academics: What is most important?

My neighbor asked me if she should start teaching her two-year daughter to write her name.  I was surprised to hear this question and had to think about how to respond without offending her.  Luckily I had just visited the website for the National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), in preparation for a class lecture I was planning.  I told her to check out the site, since there were articles that explained why play supports learning as well as social-emotional development.  It should be a priority versus academics in preschools.  If you are a parent of a preschooler, please review this site: http://www.naeyc.org/play