Between school, after-school activities, and even structured “entertainment,” our kids seem to have less and less time for free play. It’s a shame, really, because free play is incredibly beneficial! Keep reading to learn why it’s such an essential part of raising well-rounded kids.
What is Free Play?
Before we get into the benefits of free play, let’s just very quickly make sure we’re on the same page about what it means. Free play, also called unstructured play, is a spontaneous and self-directed form of play that is initiated and driven by children themselves.
It is a type of play where children are not bound by rigid rules, predetermined objectives, or adult guidance. In free play, kids have the freedom to explore, create, and engage in activities based on their interests, curiosity, and imagination. As child development expert Syeda Sazia Zaman explains, “They can choose everything – they have the freedom to select their play materials, interest area and even the plot.”
5 Amazing Reasons Why Free Play Is Vital for Kids
Do you remember your childhood? I sure remember mine! I used to ride my bike around the neighborhood, climb trees, and play in the backyard with my sister and friends. I didn’t have an iPad, video game console, or any other electronic device that I was attached to for hours every day.
My parents weren’t telling me what to do and how to play every moment of every day, either. As long as I followed their rules and took care of my basic responsibilities (chores, schoolwork, etc.), my days were filled with unplanned and spontaneous free play. Those are some of my GREATEST childhood memories!
These days, play has become a lot more structured. As parents, we organize playdates and fill our kids’ schedules with activities and classes. During all of those activities, we go into “helicopter parenting” mode and interfere with every aspect of our kids’ playtime. We dive in to break up and meddle in even the mildest disagreements rather than giving our kids a chance to just figure things out on their own.
However, more and more experts are pointing out that free play is vital for kids. And that, as parents, we need to get better at facilitating it. We do not need to play with our children and entertain them all the time!
In fact, free play- play that is devoid of parental interruption and rules (within reason, obviously)- is critically important for the development of children’s bodies and brains in so many ways. Let’s look at the top five benefits of free play for kids.
1. It changes brain structure
In a 2014 interview with NPR, Sergio Pellis, Ph.D., an expert on the neuroscience of play, explained that free play actually changes your child’s developing brain structures. The change in neural connections happens in the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain considered to be the executive control center responsible for solving problems, making plans and regulating emotions.
“Whether it’s rough-and-tumble play or two kids deciding to build a sand castle together, the kids themselves have to negotiate, well, what are we going to do in this game? What are the rules we are going to follow?” Pellis says. In the process, their brains forge new circuits within the prefrontal cortex, enabling them to navigate the intricate terrain of social interactions.
Because unstructured play involves trying out different strategies without particular goals or serious consequences, children get to practice different activities during play and see what happens.
Free play also activates the entire neocortex, also known as the area used in higher functions such as thinking, language and spatial reasoning. Jaak Panksepp, Ph.D., a Professor at the University of Washington, explains that “…we found that of the 1,200 genes that we measured about one third of them were significantly changed simply by having half an hour of play.” Panksepp went on to say that “the function of play is to build pro-social brains – social brains that know how to interact with others in positive ways.”
2. It builds social skills and teaches children to have more positive interactions
One of the most remarkable aspects of free play is its role in honing children’s social skills. Previously, experts thought that the purpose of play in animals was simply practice so that they could become more effective hunters.
However, Panksepp’s study of play in rats led him to the conclusion that play served an entirely different function: it teaches young animals how to interact with others in positive ways. In fact, he believed that play helps build pro-social brains.
If you really think about it, it makes perfect sense. When kids aren’t hindered by adult-structured rules, they need to negotiate, communicate, and collaborate with each other on their own. They learn how to share, take turns, and resolve conflicts independently. This process is crucial for building empathy, understanding, and forging the foundation for healthy relationships in the future.
3. Children who play often do better in school
The social skills acquired through play may help children become better students, studies have found. In fact, research has found that the best predictor of academic performance in the eighth grade was a child’s social skills in the third grade. Interestingly, Dr. Pellis noted that “countries where they actually have more recess tend to have higher academic performance than countries where recess is less.”
Again, it makes sense when you really stop to think about it. First, recess and free play provide a much-needed “cognitive break” for kids during the school day. After concentrating on academic work for hours, these periods of unstructured play help students recharge their minds. This mental refreshment helps them stay more focused and attentive when they return to the classroom, leading to improved academic performance.
Regular physical activity during recess and free play also stimulates the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, which are associated with improved attention and concentration.
4. It gets kids moving
In a world where we are all getting less and less physical activity, unstructured play often involves moving the whole body around. Free play often involves physical activities such as running, climbing, and jumping. These activities aid in the development of motor skills and physical fitness in children.
Plus, engaging in these activities not only keeps kids active in general but also teaches them about their bodies, balance, coordination, and spatial awareness. Physical activity also helps children maintain a healthy weight and combats the development of Type 2 diabetes by increasing the body’s sensitivity to the hormone insulin.
5. Free play helps kids become more resilient
During free play, children often face obstacles and difficulties, whether it’s trying to build a tower of blocks that keeps falling or resolving conflicts with playmates. These challenges encourage them to develop problem-solving skills, patience, and perseverance. They learn that it’s okay to make mistakes and that setbacks are opportunities for growth.
Free play allows gives kids a chance to experience a wide range of emotions, from joy and excitement to frustration and disappointment. Learning to manage and cope with these emotions in a safe and unstructured environment is essential for building emotional resilience.
It’s tempting to step in and solve all of our kids’ problems. But when we let our kids handle it themselves, they develop resilience by learning to cope with failures and adapt their strategies. These experiences teach them valuable life skills and the ability to bounce back from adversity.
We should really reflect on these reasons why free play is so vital for kids and just let our kids play! Do you agree? How often do you let your kids play freely?
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