Free play???

[It's a small world]

What do you class as 'free play'?

Do you sit back allow the children to play with selection of toys on offer and intervene or join in when asked? or do you always join in and assist by whatever means you can??

[rickysmiths]

I let them choose the toys, I will get things they can't reach if asked and I sit and watch, get lunch or snack etc ready, take photos and do obs. I don't join in or do anything unless I am asked.

[mushpea]

I sit down , do my paperwork and let them play or i might use it as observation time,,,, I dont play with them constantly as they need to learn to play independantly which they wont do if i am constantly on the floor with them,,, one childminder in our area is constantly with the children playing, even at toddler group she cant leave them alone to get on with playing and I serously think this is far to over the top,,, what happens when the go to school or preschool and the adults just let them play,, they will be so lost and scared and not know how to play,,
I think letting them play on their own also develops their imagination, as long as they are happy then yes I sit back and let them play,,(also means I get a hot coffee break )

[muffins]

My thinking is allowing them to play freely with the toys/ resources of there choice, either without adult interaction or with an adult playing but not making any suggestions and allowing the child to lead the activity.

Am interested on others views

[It's a small world]

I let them choose the toys, I will get things they can't reach if asked and I sit and watch, get lunch or snack etc ready, take photos and do obs. I don't join in or do anything unless I am asked.

That's what I do I have a selection of toys plus some under my stairs and let them choose and if they want me to join in I do. Whilst they are doing this I sort snacks/lunch etc inbetween watching and taking photos for obs.

DO you ever feel guilty for just watching them and not joiing in? I know they are happy playing as they are and Im there if they want me to join in . I just feel guilty sometimes just watching and not interacting with them iyswim ??

[mama2three]

To me free play just means they get to choose from the variety of toys/ activities . Sometimes I get involved , sometimes not - but its always child led.

[mama2three]

I sit down , do my paperwork and let them play or i might use it as observation time,,,, I dont play with them constantly as they need to learn to play independantly which they wont do if i am constantly on the floor with them,,, one childminder in our area is constantly with the children playing, even at toddler group she cant leave them alone to get on with playing and I serously think this is far to over the top,,, what happens when the go to school or preschool and the adults just let them play,, they will be so lost and scared and not know how to play,,
I think letting them play on their own also develops their imagination, as long as they are happy then yes I sit back and let them play,,(also means I get a hot coffee break )

I wonder if the cm feels a bit 'on show' at toddler group and feels she will be judged badly for 'ignoring' the children if she isnt playing with them. Sometimes we cant win - I know a nan at our toddlers is regularly badmouthing the cms for ignoring the kids and standing chatting!

[It's a small world]

- I know a nan at our toddlers is regularly badmouthing the cms for ignoring the kids and standing chatting!

Theres one like that a playgroup I sometimes attend. A couple of cms attend too so we make a point of saying how well so and so is playing or make a comment so they know we are watching them and maybe make a comment or take a picture and say that will be a good ob of so and so interacting and socialising just so they know we dont always interact and its good for the child etc

[mufftie]

Children don't need to be overshadowed by parents or caters they need time to choose and play by themselves , like the others I use this time to get jobs done such as lunch observations or dare I say it have a well earned coffee break

[Fraggle1]

I class free play as getting out toys/resources that they are interested in (either knowing from parents comments or previous observations) and letting them get on with it, if they need my help I'm there. Going from my own sons the first one went to nursery and it seems they we're always with them playing with them etc... it may be just a coincidence but he doesn't really have much of an imagination...where as son no 2 who I've stayed at home with, well...his imagination is just amazing!! It is hard sometimes not to get involved cause I actually love playing with the toys ha ha ha x

[blue bear]

I see free play as the child leading the play which is most of the time really, I plan from their interests and join in the play where appropriate which depends on the Childs age and stage of development. It is essential for children to learn to entertain themselves and to negotiate with other children with out adult intervention it's all part of social development

[Vickster]

I organise the rooms around the children that are in and what i perceive to be their interests, I am there to facilitate further play and help/intervene as necessary but not lead.

[nokidshere]

I only have older children after school so free play to us is just that! They get to decide what to do without interference form me.

They either watch tv, play on the wii, build dens or play hide and seek all over the house - often the girls will do "girly things" like make necklaces or cards etc.

But i dont get involved with them unless they ask or unless its to stop a fight lol

[mushpea]

I wonder if the cm feels a bit 'on show' at toddler group and feels she will be judged badly for 'ignoring' the children if she isnt playing with them. Sometimes we cant win - I know a nan at our toddlers is regularly badmouthing the cms for ignoring the kids and standing chatting!

she is like this at home too, I used to be friends with her and meet up with her and she was like it all the time,, she couldnt understand that the learning part was through play either she used to sit them at a table and try and teach them as though at school. then she moans that she would be up to 1am doing housework and paper work

I do feel guilty somtimes when i am grabbing a coffee and just observing but this is a home from home setting and I bet the parents sit and have their cuppa and dont constantly play with their children.

[ajs]

That's what I do I have a selection of toys plus some under my stairs and let them choose and if they want me to join in I do. Whilst they are doing this I sort snacks/lunch etc inbetween watching and taking photos for obs.

DO you ever feel guilty for just watching them and not joiing in? I know they are happy playing as they are and Im there if they want me to join in . I just feel guilty sometimes just watching and not interacting with them iyswim ??

this is what i do and yes sometimes i do feel guilty but if they are happy and i am there if they want me to join in then why should we feel bad about having 5 min break

[ziggy]

Not sure if anyone will agree with me but after caring for children for over 30 yrs i find it quite sad that children need to be 'played with/entertained' constantly (not sure if that is right wording!!!!!

I have my mindees from 7.30 till 5/6pm. am i supposed to play with them the whole time???

I usually let them play together till we have breakfast,then they play again till nursery time, then i take younger ones for a walk to local park or a group, if weather is bad we do art activity at home (if they want to join in). After nursery pick up (12pm) they all put on wellies and old coats and play outside, mainly jumping in puddles etc. Then we have lunch, little ones go for nap and big ones can either do activity or again play together. After nap they can choose to play or have tv time, then its tea time, tidy up time, reading time then home.

I will join in if they are getting bored or start fighting but surely being a child is learning through play or am i wrong???

[mushpea]

Not sure if anyone will agree with me but after caring for children for over 30 yrs i find it quite sad that children need to be 'played with/entertained' constantly (not sure if that is right wording!!!!!

I have my mindees from 7.30 till 5/6pm. am i supposed to play with them the whole time???

I usually let them play together till we have breakfast,then they play again till nursery time, then i take younger ones for a walk to local park or a group, if weather is bad we do art activity at home (if they want to join in). After nursery pick up (12pm) they all put on wellies and old coats and play outside, mainly jumping in puddles etc. Then we have lunch, little ones go for nap and big ones can either do activity or again play together. After nap they can choose to play or have tv time, then its tea time, tidy up time, reading time then home.

I will join in if they are getting bored or start fighting but surely being a child is learning through play or am i wrong???

I agree and your routine sounds very similar to mine,, I will go outside with them but if they are happy to play then i let them get on with whilst i set up new activites or clean out the rabbits etc
I have to say its nice to hear somone else with simialr views to me so I know that I am not doing things 'wrong'.

[babs]

free play.. i let the children choose what to play with and observe them at play some times i will get other toys out while they are playing and leave it to one side to see what they do ie .. if they want to play with dolls house i let them play for a while and to keep them interested i will put out say school house and school bus see if they play with them, one will just mess between both the other role plays getting up out of bed and going to school... park set etc ..
when i have the 2, 3 and 4 yr old together they play really great together but i have noticed that if i have one of them she tends to just sit and do nothing even if i get toys out i know shes intereted in, she will sit and watch even if i join in she watches me luckly its only odd time i now have her on her own so hoping she will now role play more by watching other children...

[annabee]

Yes I agree, free play is so important and I think children sometimes need time to think for themselves with minimum adult interference. I use the time to do valuable observations and to have a very welcome cup of tea!!

[Mrs.L.C]

Also agree. free play is exactly what it says.

We have planned activities which are out for the children to do if they want to and these are the ones I tend to get more involved in other wise the children get to choose what they would like to do/play with and we are there if they need us.

I started another thread the other week regarding toddler groups and the fact sure start in our area have complained about childminders not playing with the children all the time at their groups which I think is wrong.
Groups are there for the children to mix and play and they wont learn if the adult is by their side all the time.

I have been minding for over 7 years now and when I first started I did do everything with the children. For the last 3/4 years, I have been more relaxed and done more free play and gone to more groups and I have noticed the difference (for the better)