Why Is Free Play Important?

[littlemommy]

A provider friend and I were talking yesterday about how so many parents expect us to do arts and crafts and learning activities for their 1-3 year olds. The oldest I have in care is 3.5, her kids range from newborn to school age. She said that she doesn't do many arts/crafts/activities beyond exercise time because the kids don't participate and the parents aren't grateful when she does take the time to do things.

We then got to talking about how kids have so many years of school ahead of them. They need to spend their toddler years socializing and using their imaginations in free play. I know I've felt bad in the past not doing crafts with the kids I have here, but with 5 two year olds and one bossy 3.5 yr old, nothing gets done even if I try.

Does anyone have any studies on why free/imaginative play is important?

[MyAngels]

I just googled this, but maybe it will help...

http://www.researchconnections.org/files/childcare/keytopics/KTRL-play.pdf

[greenhouse]

I'll see if I can find the link later... the article was called The death of pre-school. It was basically about a study that was done that showed kids 3-5 not in pre-school were better problem solvers and more independent minded becuase they weren't in a structured curriculum where teachers hovered over them. I love crafts and art, but I am up front to new parents that I do not believe in curriculums/leap frog/ v-tech and all that stuff. We believe in good old fashioned imagination.

[Unregistered]

My professor at school helped write a book called "Play's The Thing". It's all about how play helps facilitate learning in children. Children use play to make sense of the world around them. The book also addresses how caregivers/teachers/parents can facilitate play or interrupt it. Really great book!!

[2ndFamilyDC]

I just took a class this past weekend where we were told that Kindergarten teachers say the #1 thing they want kids to know before entering school is:

how to Socialize. Take turns, share, sit quietly during circle time

keeping their hands and feet to themselves. How to stand in line, and

walk in a straight line, without pushing.

Raise their hand when they want to talk, and wait for the the

first person to stop talking (no interrupting).

They appreciate this way more then the kids that know their Abc's

and 123's, etc.

I also took a class a few years back where we were taught the importance

of free play. They learn to compromise, create, problem solve, share, take

turns, pretend many different things. This is to name a few. I will have

to try to find the handout from this class.


She basically said that "play" is childrens work.

[SimpleMom]

Yep. What they said
It's great work to have free play. I have heard that if you add the props and introduce an idea or expand on their idea they usually take off with that. Today we talked about the moon since it was noticed by a child that there was a 'big moon' out. We talked about that, through in lesson talk of the way God made us and then they played--incorporating that into play.

I've heard they learn how to socialize that way as well. A lot of nurture, love, socialize opportunities, and they have a good solid background for learning the a-b-c's and 1-2-3's.

[Blackcat31]

Here is a really good article about play and it's importance. It is 16 pages long but is a nice printout to have.http://www.bernardvanleer.org/files/..._booklet-5.pdf

This is a good page about playing and what play does for kids. Shorter, simpler but just as informative. http://www.helpguide.org/life/creati..._fun_games.htm


Now "Go play!"

[daycare]

Here is a really good article about play and it's importance. It is 16 pages long but is a nice printout to have.http://www.bernardvanleer.org/files/..._booklet-5.pdf

This is a good page about playing and what play does for kids. Shorter, simpler but just as informative. http://www.helpguide.org/life/creati..._fun_games.htm


Now "Go play!"

oh i love these articles.... great timing... I have my SIL coming over tonight so that I can talk to her about getting my niece out of the Dictator Daycare..... It's 100% academic and no play..... Plus the punishing that happens when she gets answers wrong...

I was trying so hard to explain to my SIL and MIL why play is important and didnt have a lot of resources ready....

I love you!!!

Sorry for the hijack...Im excited.if you couldn't tell...

[sahm2three]

oh i love these articles.... great timing... I have my SIL coming over tonight so that I can talk to her about getting my niece out of the Dictator Daycare..... It's 100% academic and no play..... Plus the punishing that happens when she gets answers wrong...

I was trying so hard to explain to my SIL and MIL why play is important and didnt have a lot of resources ready....

I love you!!!

Sorry for the hijack...Im excited.if you couldn't tell...

They have all of their lives to go to school and work! Let them learn by having fun, is my motto! Good for you for taliking to your SIL. Let the kids be kids for the little time they can!

[nannyde]

It's 100% academic and no play..... Plus the punishing that happens when she gets answers wrong...

It's amazing to me that I can produce one stellar student after another year after year and they have the first five years of "go play toys"