If you think back to the time where you had no responsibilities, no one else to care for, what are some of your special ‘play moments’ that get triggered when you think about an uninterrupted play?
Mine is definitely the time I spent at my grandparent's farm. Wondering for hours in the garden and paddocks pretending that I was on the show Skippy the bush kangaroo. The older I got, the more freedom I had to roam on my bike and to explore with no-one looking over my shoulder directing my attention. I was free and able to follow my own play urges.
The time for uninterrupted play is vital for brain development and can start as early as birth. It is where we explore our body; make sense of our culture and social interactions, where we express our schemas and passions.
I frequently sit back and observe my children from afar. It gives me immense joy watching them interact with their environment with innocent eyes and minds. I love watching Mav turn his kitchen into ‘Engine House’ which is his dads co-working space and trying to work out what they actually do there. Livy lies on her back rolling from side to side feeling the weight move around her back and shoulders. More recently she climbs onto a small armchair and stands up with no support, beaming with delight in her new found balance.
However, these uninterrupted opportunities to play have come about through a very thought out and prepared environment.
The first very important lesson I have learned is to have a ‘Yes’ Space. Thank you to Janet Lansbury (I suggest following her, it will change your life)
A ‘yes’ space is a closed off area in your home, where the child is able to roam free without supervision. Janet describes it as if you were locked out of your house and your child was inside, you know they would be completely safe.
In my old house I gated a whole room but now I am in a house with open plan so I have put two playpens together to ensure adequate space for crawling and exploring. If you have two children or more they each need their own ‘Yes’ space because together they are not safe.
The second lesson is the importance of having a mixture of passive toys and lots of loose parts (recycled or natural) to enrich children’s play. A passive toy is one that does not do anything and is versatile. A child can transcend from what an object is ‘actually used for’ and manipulate in ways the child sees fit. These items promote problem solving, self-direction, investigation and the list goes on.
To give children the right materials and an effective play space provides them with a freedom to create, explore and make sense of the world.
What do you think are the ingredients for play? What works in your home or center? Do you see the benefit of having a designated play area?
What are some of your children's favourite play objects?
Observe more, Enjoy Most
Vanessa
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