Children get to choose their own activities and materials.  They get to decide structure, meaning and “rules” of the game or activity.

Role of parent/teacher during free play

• Observe

• Listen 

• Acknowledge children

Examples: 

• Playing house or other imaginative games

• Building structures with blocks

• Playing on the slide

Children chooses and directs the play activity with an adult available to interact and offer support, increase engagement or extend the development of skills and knowledge.

Role of parent/teacher during guided/collaborative play:

• Scaffold play-offer support and interact

Examples: 

• If kids are playing restaurant the parent/teacher may encourage oral skills such as ordering food, number skills buy guiding students in “paying” for food.

• Children playing with snails parent/teacher can get books about snails and read them at story time.

Play planned and directed by adults with children expected to follow the adult-initiated rules and directions.

Role of parent/teacher:

• “Teach”

• This type of play should be limited and parents should look for opportunities to step back

Examples:

• Games such as red light green light

• Letter bingo

Allows free play in nature.  Being outdoor has proven to have strong positive effects on mental health.  Encourages physical activity and helps develop lifelong healthy habits.  It also allows children to develop a connection with nature and curiosity about animals, insects, plants and the environment.

Role of parent/teacher:

• Set reasonable rules to allow children to engage in physically active play while helping them stay safe.

Examples:

• walking/running/jumping

• Throwing or chasing balls