Free Play

Children's play is a natural, instinctive drive. All children and young people (and arguably adults too) need to play. As researchers such as Peter Gray have stated, the impulse to play is innate, and supports a child's physical, social, emotional and intellectual development.

Play is a biological, psychological and social necessity, and is fundamental to the healthy development and well-being of individuals and communities.

We view play as the basis for cognitive, social and emotional learning, and also as an indicator of a child's healthy development. A child's play can give us important clues in relation to her emotional well-being. Fantasy play also has a powerful therapeutic effect and can help children to come to terms with stressful events and circumstances.

We aim to give children long periods of uninterrupted free-flow play. Free play is, by definition:

• self-chosen and self-directed;

• motivated by means rather than ends;

• an activity in which the structure and rules emanate from the minds of the players;

• imaginative; nonliteral;

• mentally removed in some way from “real” or “serious” life, and involving an active, alert, but non-stressed frame of mind;

• self managed, self regulated, developmentally appropriate learning;

• co-operative.

At Kaleide, play is seen as a process that is freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated. That is, children determine and control the content and intent of their play, by following their own instincts, ideas and interests, in their own way, for their own reasons. This self-directed play entails the capacities of resilience, perseverance, innovation, creativity, emotional awareness, self-regulation, self-reflection, integrity, bravery, and intuition, and promotes humour and positivity (which are associated with deeper learning).

Play is where children learn they are in control of their own life.

Peter Gray

Free play supports children's sense of belonging, being and becoming, and provides children with the opportunity to:

• practise physical skills;

• release energy;

• develop positive social skills and behaviour;

• learn about themselves and others;

• build self esteem and confidence;

• learn and practise language;

• develop creativity, imagination and curiosity;

• pursue and develop their own interests;

• express their personality and uniqueness;

• explore materials, equipment and natural objects;

• develop problem-solving skills;

• develop independence and autonomy;

• develop relationships and concepts; make connections between prior experiences and new learning;

• ask themselves questions;

• express their innermost fears and find the strength to overcome them.

At Kaleide, children enjoy opportunities for a whole range of spontaneous play both indoors and outdoors, with blocks and other “loose parts”, sand and water, costumes, psychomotor play equipment, cooking utensils, musical instruments, housekeeping equipment, as well as through dancing, painting, collage and clay.

A note on fantasy play

Children –including "older" children– will sometimes create make-believe stories and characters, and speak about them as if they were real. We should never question or express doubts about the credibility of this fantasy world. Children are constantly stepping in and out of reality, and this is something we value and have a deep respect for at Kaleide. At Kaleide, dinosaurs will at times come back to life, dragons will be lurking in unsuspected places and fairies will inhabit the poplar trees in the garden. This does not mean that children don't know "the truth", but simply that they decide to play with it, in the same way they play with everything else. We should honour this ability and take part in their game as companions –if we are so lucky as to be invited to do so.