Free Play

I am a strong believer in the importance of free play. All children, from toddlers to teens, need to follow their own ideas, imaginations and let their brain development form important wiring and thinking.  This is called "creative flow". This does not mean I let my children run wild, but supervise from a quiet distance and only be party if invited.  During times of social play with siblings and peers, children get to break free of adult-led activities that are extremely common now. They get to form their own worlds, share their own ideas and discover independent social heirarchies and problem solving abilities. A stronger, long lasting sibling or friend bond develops through time spent together playing and learning together- kids build their own social systems through imaginative play. In short- letting kids be kids, like it was in years past. Time to play and be free- without pressures and time constraints. There are endless opportunities for paying adults to teach your child every skill, sport and subject imaginable.  Many of these opportunities are positive. We get to decide how many adult-led group activities to enroll in. What are the benefits?  For many parents, work and time are both paramount and we need other adults to teach valuable skills. It's all part of "it takes a village" to raise a child.  

Examples of free play include having fun "cooking and baking" with a play kitchen, and making "soups and cakes" outside with flowers, birdseed, and mud.  Children can build forts in the backyard and woods; they can create elaborate snow forts with tunnels and turrets.  They can climb trees (not too high!) and make discoveries in nature,  parks, ponds and creeks just playing together. Movement is key to brain development. Finding a feather or agate extends to project-based learning about geology and how birds survive cold winters.  Caring for pets and chickens gives kids responsibity and a sense of purpose.  Animals rely on us for nurturing care, safety, training, love and feeding. Rolling down hills helps develop vestibular development and spatial skills- balance and coordination are crucial. Uneven terrain, rock hopping and climbling all challenge young bodies and minds- which rock is best to place footing?  Which branch will support my weight? Problem solving skills occur in free play- thus encouraging confidence and independence.

What about screen time?  It's all about balance and limits.  Remote instruction can be very effective for some children. It's not ideal for others.  Learning with videos, Zoom and documentaries teaches children culture, travel, geography, and social awareness about people different from themselves.  Kids can enjoy in-person screen-free communities with friends, face to face, engaging in collaborative problem solving, conflict resolution, and imaginative, creative decision making. As independently minded homeschoolers, our family's education mantra is and remains "Free to Learn".