Dear Parents,
As Spring Break approaches, I want to share a paper from the University of North Texas and the Center for Play Therapy.
The Importance of Unrestricted Outdoor Play
Delmilly Mendoza – University of North Texas
Benefits of Play
Play is important for the healthy development of the brain. Play helps children learn how to work together, share, and make decisions independently. Free child-driven play takes off the effects of pressure and stress. Play promotes self-advocacy skills that allow a child to become more independent. Play allows a child to explore a variety of interests.
Free time (unrestricted play) can be seen as a developmental key in the lives of children and how they see the world. It provides life experiences, which help a child, develop into confident and/or competent adults. The lack of play affects many areas in a child’s life and could lead to problems with attention and self-control.
Unrestricted Play –
Schedule in some ‘free time’: Make sure to leave some time to allow children to create their own environment.
Try not to intervene: Supervision is necessary, however allow your child to decide what they want to do on their own. It’ll give them a sense of independence.
Let go of preconceived notions: sometimes what adults have in mind of ‘play’ looks different that what a child considers as play.
Children need to experience boredom: It forces kids to come up with more complex levels of play.
It is okay for there to be an adult presence that does not interfere or distract from independent outdoor play. It is important to slowly phase out as a child becomes more independent and creative on their own. This will allow the child to come up with his or her own ideas of play schemes without prompts or stimulating environments. The goal is to get the child to have the ability to think creatively and openly. These abilities will promote the development of a strong and capable individual for years.
See you at school,
Kathie Opiola
