The Joy in Play—Benefits of Unstructured Fun
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In previous blogs, we’ve discussed the benefits of taking some time to slow down, relax, and focus on being more of a human-being rather than a human-doing. For teachers and students alike, that all seems easy to do during the summer months, but how do you avoid getting sucked into the busyness of being that human that is always “doing” during the school year? …“PLAYTIME” might just be the answer for both you and your students.
I recently read an interesting article in a local health magazine that focused on why children need unstructured fun in their lives. Trust me, I don’t need to be convinced that playtime-fun is beneficial to human development, but I wanted to read what the experts had to say. Play was described as voluntary, fun, and spontaneous activities that engage a child. Unstructured play allows children the freedom to explore, create, and discover without predetermined rules or guidelines.
In addition to the obvious physical benefits like increased range of motion, agility, coordination, balance, and flexibility, play also builds skills critical for adult success such as problem solving, collaboration, and creativity.
Let’s take a closer look at how play specifically helps creativity and imagination, problem-solving abilities, and social skills.
Creativity and imagination: Because there are no fixed rules to follow, children can make their own games and guidelines. This opportunity to create and use imagination is important to cognitive development.
Problem-solving abilities: Children work together during unstructured play to solve problems, like who takes the first turn in a game and establishing other rules of play. While activities should be supervised, allow children time to work together on problems before helping resolve a conflict or question.
Social skills: Unstructured play encourages social skills and teamwork. Children take turns, learn to listen and share, develop imaginary scenarios, and make decisions together. Since they are the ones leading play, they have the chance to learn on their own among friends.
Clearly, unstructured play is critical to the cognitive, physical, and social and emotional development of children. The American Academy of Pediatrics 2018 clinical report, “The Power of Play,” recommends that doctors write prescriptions for it! Play is said to decrease stress, fatigue, and depression, as well.
I vote we all incorporate a little more playtime into our lives. I can’t help but wonder what would happen if you allowed your class some unstructured play time before you assigned your next creative writing assignment. Let your inner child come out and play this school year!
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