Structured or Unstructured Play
Is there any merit to sturctured play? What is the purpose of unstructured play? Is there a time when play can be structured to look unstructured?
Sometimes we need to take a few moments to ponder large questions such as these and begin to work on the theory behind them so that we can grow and learn.
I am beginning to look at these questions and consider where the answers lie. Research shows the importance of unstructured, child led play. When children have the oppurtunity to explore freely, making objects out of sticks, paper and string they are using more than just their imagination, they are engaging in learning about the hows, whats, where’s and why’s of life.
I could site many authors, and studies that support this idea but I don’t need to because I see it everyday when I walk into my daughters pre-k classroom, or when my two children play. “Mom, come see my castle. See, I used bits of sea glass, buttons and money for the windows. (Where did she get the money?….hmmm…) I found little acorns to make decorations. I put walnut shells on top for the roof.”
I have begun to give the girls more freedom to explore outside without my direct contact. I wash dishes in the kitchen and watch them out in the backyard as the run around picking flowers, and playing in the sandbox. Some could argue that it is unsafe to let them play alone but I feel that the more I stay right near them, the more they want me to play. It is fine to play with the kids but I fear that I will begin to tell them how and what to do, which is not my intention.
I am available to my girls if they want or need me but I have found that I am more of a “tool” for their play, offerring to get materials or helping find new additions to the play area. I really enjoy this role, it allows me to be part of what they are doing but it also allows me to observe their play.
Occassionally, I do offer other types of play and give them some structure as they become restless but as soon as I am able to remove myself from the direct play, I do. As adults we need to fight the urge to “do” for our children and structure how they do things. Children need our guidance and support but not our control. Unstructured Play is not chaos and confusion, it is free play where the child learns at their own pace, making mistakes and self correcting without interference.
Posted on May 9th, 2007 by karen
Filed under: Uncategorized