In today’s world of busy schedules, structured routines, and academic standards, one of the most valuable and natural resources in children’s development is often underestimated: free play.
As a coach and founder of the Asociación de Proveedoras Unidas, I have witnessed the positive impact that free play has in classrooms and homes where childhood is honored with respect, curiosity, and freedom. This type of play, in which the child chooses what, how, and with whom to play, it’s much more than entertainment: is a fundamental tool for developing essential life skills.
What is free play?
Free play is spontaneous, undirected by adults, and is based on the initiative and imagination of the child. There are no specific instructions, imposed objectives, or specific materials. The child decides, explores, experiments, and repeats without fear of making mistakes.
This can be seen in actions as simple as building blocks, playing house, running outdoors, inventing characters, or transforming a cardboard box into a rocket ship. Each experience is loaded with deep and meaningful learning.
Benefits of Free Play
Numerous studies and child development experts agree that free play:
✓ Strengthens creativity and imagination
✓ Develop social skills such as negotiation, empathy and cooperation
✓ Promotes critical thinking and problem solving
✓ Supports emotional self-regulation and self-control
✓ Promotes independence, self-esteem and decision-making
How can we support free play in educational spaces?
As childcare providers, we have the power to create environments rich in opportunities for free play. Here are some strategies:
🎨 Provide open-ended materials: blocks, fabric, boxes, shapes, dirt, water, non-textbooks, etc.
🌱 Provide sufficient time without interruptions or rigid structures.
👀 Observe without directing: accompany the play without intervening, allowing the child to lead.
🏡 Value play as much as academic activities: play is also learning.
👧🏾👦🏻 Respect each child’s individual pace and personal interests.
The role of the adult: guiding without controlling
As adults, our role is not to direct the game, but to create the conditions for it to happen. Being present, available, and attentive allows children to feel safe exploring, imagining, and creating. Close observation gives us insights into their emotional, social, and cognitive development, without the need for direct assessment.
Exploring with Imagination: Free Play in Action
In this spontaneous activity, the children decided to build their own tent. Using sheets, cushions, and classroom furniture, they collaborated, shared ideas, and figured out how to set up their play space together. For over an hour, this ‘camp’ transformed into a house, a tent, a secret hideout… whatever their imaginations allowed!
This type of free play encourages creativity, critical thinking, communication, and autonomy. When we allow children to lead their own play, we give them the opportunity to learn with joy, depth, and meaning.
Conclusion
Promoting free play in our nurseries and early childhood centers does not mean regressing in learning; it is to move forward with purpose and awareness toward a healthier, more experiential, and truly meaningful childhood.
Let us always remember: when a child plays, they are rehearsing life.
Contribution by Carmen Hernandez – Registered Community Coach and Child Development Advocate
