.png)
Sometimes adults think they should prepare and plan tons of fancy activities for children every week. That is neat and probabaly enjoyable for children (and teachers) occassionally, but what truly is enjoyable for children is free play.
Therefore, make sure to give children days that include mostly free play. It might feel dull or lazy to let children 'just' play, but oh boy - it is not that. Play is actually the best thing you can offer children.
Play has so many positive sides to it, that I even made a rainbow poster out of it!
(This poster idea is commonly used on Finnish early childhood education and here you can see Finnish versions of it.)
During play children get to experience, practise and learn:
- joy
- friendship
- communication skills
- language skills
- gender roles
- identity
- self control
- independency
- equality
- observation skills
- focusing
- thinking
- creativity
- planning
- rules and norms
- safety
- empathy
- emotional skills
- flexibility
- creativity
- sensory experiences
- body awareness
- motor skills
- frustration
Can you come up with some more?
During free play adults do not need to feel useless though.
Adults can guide and enrich children's play by leading it forward when needed and supporting children to find or make materials for the play. Adults should also make sure all children enjoy themselves and feel comfortable with their role. It is also vital that all children get to play - nobody should be left out <3
Happy playtime!
PS Are you a preschool manager or educator wondering how to organize and assess learning during free play, Kindiedays Porfolio Learning can support your work.
.png)
