Free Play

Letting Kids Discover on Their Own

There are many kinds of play for children, and they all have their importance. Structured play helps children learn rules, routines, and social skills under an adult’s direction. Free play, however, is about unstructured playtime where the child leads. They choose what they want to do, how to do it, and when to do something different.

Free play is open-ended because there are no goals set by an adult and there are no imposed learning objectives. Free play is a vital part in a child’s development. It allows them to engage with and explore their surroundings and environments. They learn to solve problems, learn from their mistakes, and learn about taking risks. Free play shapes how children interpret the world and how they develop emotionally, socially, intellectually, and physically. Here are just some of the benefits that this type of play offers:

• Emotional – Children learn how to self-regulate feelings of anticipation, frustration, anger, etc. Often times, free play even leads to children creating their own structured environments. Children will recognize the need for rules and regulations and implement their own.
• Social – Playing with others builds social skills, such as empathy, listening, and expressing feelings.
• Intellectual – Builds a range of cognitive benefits like creative thinking, innovation, content knowledge, and problem-solving skills.
• Physical – Children play physically which helps keep them moving, exercising, and builds strength and muscle.

Children also love when their parents or caregivers participate actively in their free play. It offers an opportunity for parents to engage fully and be present with their child. Keep things simple and follow your child’s lead. At the end of the day, unstructured play not only helps your little one’s developmental growth, but also makes simple, lasting memories.