Free Play

Free play provides our tamariki with unhurried, unstructured and undisguised moments to move at their own pace and in their own time. Children are enabled with the freedom of choice and making own decisions to explore and experience the world around them, in the most natural, fluid and authentic way.  And this leads on to many different interests and paths as they grow and develop. Children use their own imagination, curiosity and  discovery nature, to take lead of own learning, to self-regulate and become confident in achieving personal goals. 

 Children embraces the sense of trust from adult during free play. They are empowered to grow into competent and confident learners in adults’ trust and guidance.  It’s like the day dad let go of the handle bar, the feeling of riding the bike at own risk, taking the direction and be prepared to fall and paddle again. They are in charge!  The nervousness and excitement push them to wanting to learn more.  Free play offers so many qualities and learning outcomes for them.  Here’s a couple of examples:

Natural movements in body to climb and jump, to run and chase, to ride and row, support development in physical coordination, gross and fine motor skills; and the natural instinct of taking care of their own body to prevent injuries, Learning to assess risks and developing survival skills. 

 Pretend play or role play allow tamariki to recreate and navigate real life experience such as baking, gardening, caring for babies, in the office, at the doctors, etc. These activities expand children’s understanding of an adult world and it also gives the adults an opportunity to see the world from a child’s eyes. Children gain confidence and self-esteem, develop social and problem solving skills, they learn conflict resolutions, they build relationships; and negotiate and communicate ideas, all of which enable them to be better equipped for the world that they are growing into. 

 Free play also gives children an outlet to express their feelings and emotions; and that of others. They learn to explore own boundaries, limitations and abilities; and form an understanding of others point of view. They develop the ability of self-awareness, managing stress, and become critical and reflective thinkers overtime. They will feel less intimidated in a new environment such as school, as they learned to make themselves understood. 

 Not only these spontaneous play stimulates the desire to create and embark divergent, logical and critical way of thinking and all the skill they need for school and beyond, for our children, but also the favorite way of learning because it’s absolutely fun! 

 Ministry of Education recognises the importance of child-led play and categorised it into 16 plays. Here’s a link of some wonderful ideas we do in our centre environment. Some can be easily adopted for home too.  https://www.education.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Early-Childhood/Play-ideas/Play-ideas-complete-collection.pdf

 *Dr Peter Gray, a leading research professor of psychology in America, is a specialist in developmental and evolutionary psychology. He is the author of an introductory textbook, Psychology, and Free to Learn, a book about children's natural ways of educating themselves, and how adults can help (Basic Books, 2013).