Sara Rowley

PSY 1100

Fall 2020

Unstructured Play for Children

Free and unstructured play is so important to children because it allows them to grow

both cognitively, physically, and socially. Because there are no predetermined rules, guidelines,

or perimeters. Children must instead explore and create in the environment around them.

Because there are no rules or guidelines, children must imagine scenarios and scenes

around them with which to interact. These actions foster imagination, creativity, and problem-

solving skills. They kids get to decide what they are going to do, how they want to do it, who

takes the turns, etc. Moreover the children have to imagine and communicate the scenarios and

rules together. They also have to make decisions together, which helps them to develop socially.

Additionally, the nature of rough and tumble/ unstructured play often includes a great

deal of physical activity. The children involved typically run, jump, chase one another etc. This

helps the children to exercise and grow their bodies and practice their fine/gross motor skills. It

also allows them to develop their social skills. For instance, when one child accidentally injures

the other, or if a conflict arises in the midst of the play time, the kids must work together to get

the situation resolved. Whether that involves apologizing and sympathizing with those injured or

creating a solution to an argument.

Some of the most prominent and fun unstructured play time that I remember from my

childhood was always with my siblings. When I was really young, my sister and I would always

pretend to be mermaids when we went swimming. We would each develop a character for
ourselves and then we would create an adventure story that usually involved some kind of

mission.