The Importance of Free Play

Even though the importance of free play may feel trivial it is an essential part of development for a child’s skills as well as helpful for their wellbeing. This applies to all forms of play regardless of whether it be playing with friends, grandparents, at a friend’s house, outside or in many other settings. Simply put children’s free play is a mechanism for learning.

For example, playing with squishy dough is important to help a child improve their fine motor skills such as writing. Another example is balancing and walking on equipment to help children to learn how to take risks while improving their gross motor skills as well. Further another setting could be when a child has a falling out with a friend during play and learns how to assert himself to develop his language/ communication skill as well as social skills.

Here are some examples of different types of play that could help your child improving their skills.

1.      Sensory Play: Playing with water or sand can be calming for the child. Its great for children to cool down after a long day and allows them to process situations while improving emotional regulation as well. For older children this may involve listening to music and while certain children may benefit from this kind of play others may find it over stimulating.

2.      Risky Play: This can help your child with learning important problem solving skills later in life, while developing resilience and helping with concentration as well.

3.      Imaginative Play: This is great for social skills, communication skills and language skills. This kind of play allows the teacher to observe the child carefully to help them get insights about how children feel and notice the things they worry about during play. For example, if a child doesn’t play with a specific toy that may indicate that he doesn’t like it for personal reasons and it may have a deeper meaning than what appears on the surface.

Schools are an essential part in allowing children to experience free play to those who are interested in doing their own favourite activities that helps them to enjoy play and relax at the same time. Not only do children develop skills but it improves their mental wellbeing.

Do not hesitate to weave literacy and numeracy in to play. For example if you want a child to learn multiplication you can make a game out of it in the playground.

Involving free play for kids such as threading beads, moulding dough and sorting small objects can develop their fine motor skills and support their development. Don’t be afraid to make these activities part of lesson play.

10 Benefits of Free Play

·        Improved Motor Skills

·        Enhanced Creativity and Problem Solving

·        Improve Communication Skills

·        Increased Self Confidence

·        Increased Focus and Attention Span

·        High Executive Functioning Capabilities

·        Greater Social Interaction Opportunities

·        Improved Emotional Regulation Skills

·        Better Academic Performace

·        Reduced Stress Levels

By using free play with empower a child’s development and put them at the centre of decisions making and planning. Not only is it great for development and wellbeing but can also be used as a handy tool to weave in vital learning.