Open-ended play is so important for the development of our children. Read this article to find out why we need to take a step back and let our children create, explore, and discover without any guidance.
How do you encourage open-ended play with your children?
9 comments:
I send them to play alone, if I'm not there they don't ask how to play as much.
We also have dress up clothes, legos, and lots of toys that have lots of possibilities.
I limit TV. We don't have video games. And basically I ignore him a lot. ;)
I highly recommend the book Playful Parenting by Lawrence Cohen.
I couldn't agree more with open ended play. In my daycare we have structure play but I also have a lot of open ended play for the kiddos. That is when they learn the most.
ummm... I get on the internet! Then he has to play alone! How bad am I?! Hey- I think it is an important skill though!
I was just thinking about this today while we were at the park and the girls were just roaming around exploring things. Of course, I couldn't resist doing a little craft with them, but most of the time was spent just observing every little thing.
Limit TV and encourage books out and browsing. They get ideas and act on them.
I will have to read this article. I agree, open-ended play is very important!! I've been blessed that my kids have all had an easy time with imagination, playing independently with or without props and together. Hope it continues:-)!!
I was concerned a few montha ago about my little man (3.4) relying on me too much during playtime and then all of a sudden his imagination just kicked in. Tonight we ate "fish steak" I gave him a pot and he went to town. It was made from peanuts, carrots, fake apples, colored dice, and the dogs harness. So funny. He spent forever cooking it and found one spoon for stirring and one for "spooning it out." I took pics and plan to blog about it.
It's an interesting article. I think that young children still need some direction at play, because they are still learning about the world and the objects around the world. Once the phantasy kicks in, they don't need as much help. I can watch it in Anna - she is transitioning from a literal "show me how" being to an imaginative play where she needs a lot less help. What do I do to encourage her? Simply give her an unstructured time. It also seems that she has a grand old time making up her own games when she is supposed to be napping. LOL.
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