As readers of this blog know, I spend a great deal of time thinking and talking about restoring childhood — about what kids are missing out on now, and how sad that is NOW. But there is a flipside to this issue: Adulthood. Children do not stay children, but rather spend the bulk of their lives living in the adult world, whether or not they have developed the perspective, coping skills, emotional intelligence, or capacity to do so in a healthy, happy manner.
We have research and experts that point out to us what those of us in this movement already know: unstructured play is vitally important to child development. It is freely chosen, child-directed, and intrinsically motivated. Children do not do it to get anything — be it a high score, a black belt, a gold star, or an allowance. Children play because they like it — heck, they LOVE it. What could be a better lesson to teach kids than to find pleasure and purpose in doing something for the shear joy of it? As an adult, who couldn’t use more joy or intrinsic rewards?
Unstructured play teaches creativity, independence, problem solving, communication skills, risk assessment, negotiation skills, a host of social concepts, and adaptability. The list goes on and on. As an adult, how many times a day do you use these skills? How often do you wish a person you work with or ride the train with had more of these tools under their belt?
You have to wonder what type of adulthood lies ahead for children who are not given, for whatever reason, ample opportunity to engage in unstructured play, explore their neighborhoods, wade in a creek, climb a tree, have down-time, or the host of other opportunities that many of today’s children are missing out on. What capacity will they have to enjoy the ride in life, to handle the ups and downs, and to teach the next generation of children to do the same?
The technology skills will come. School and society will teach those, as will necessity. The academic skills will come, both at school and what is reinforced in the home. We need to safeguard the life skills — like independence, creativity and empathy — that are hallmarks of a truly successful adult.
See ya outside! – The Grass Satin Guru
photo credit: jimmiehomeschoolmom
This is such a good point. I think another valuable thing that unstructured play teaches us is that things don’t always go as we want them to go. It’s like the idea that every kid should get a prize when there’s a race or a contest. It’s a lovely idea, but life doesn’t work like that. Sometimes you win and sometimes you don’t win. The trick is knowing how to deal with either event gracefully.
Part of unstructured play is learning to deal with problems and the fact that sometimes you don’t get picked. Handling unexpected or disappointing events well is a valuable life skill. I think a lot of kids today are missing out on learning that skill because everything is so structured.
Unstructured play is critical to the development of creative thinking and problem solving, skills our world is going to critically need from the coming generation. Unstructured outdoor open space facilitates this activity, both for children and for adults. We need parks and playfields for organized sports, yes, but we also need natural areas and just plain open areas for creative, unstructured play.
In addition to the dimension of Space, we need to provide children the dimension of Time for this type of play. Don’t fill every moment with school-homework-lessons-organized sports: unstructured time is also a critical component.
This post caught my eye because of the picture–playing in the mud is a strong and favorite memory from childhood
This is well put…let’s go out and play!
So often I hear my colleagues say, “How do you have time to do all that you do?” the implication being, “when do you work??”
I now say back to those colleagues, “How can I not?”
We make our own choices…period. Let’s choose to play:)
Susan
I have a strong connection with nature, and as a child and teen I spent a lot of time outside. I had parents who shared with me the peace felt within your soul at the beauty of a sunset, and the calm of the ocean at rest and all of nature. I feel that is where my connection was first formed, and where do I go to feel rejuvenated? That is right, with the trees, rivers, oceans, to hear the birds, the sound of leaves beneath my feet, hear the roar of the waves, smell the earth, and to hug a tree that calls out to me for attention.
I feel that I have been able to pass this on to my four daughters, how grateful I am to see my granddaughter crying her heart out when it is time to come in. She can have hands and lips that are blue with cold and still be so heartbroken that she has to come inside.
Thank You Bethe for your constant reminder of the importance of sharing our Earth and all her wonders with our children.
“Unstructured play teaches creativity, independence, problem solving, communication skills, risk assessment, negotiation skills, a host of social concepts, and adaptability. The list goes on and on. As an adult, how many times a day do you use these skills?”
This is *very* important, not only for child development, but for many other reasons, including our future economic development and even maintaining and improving freedom in the USA. I see so many people around who are lacking such skills and are therefore deprived of the ability to think independently and solve problems. A very dangerous trend, if you ask me. More food for thought and future writing. Thanks, Bethe.
If parents would just let their kids be kids, they would see that children are perfectly happy with unstructured play. Too many parents try to arrange every moment of their childs’ day, and it’s just not healthy. Let them play, by themselves, with whatever they find. It will occupy them for hours and help them become more independent! Great article.
Wonderful post and such thoughtful comments! I agree!
Another piece of playing outdoor that needs to be mentioned again and again is that we need to stop using toxic pesticides in our children’s outdoor spaces. It has become clear in recent years that the risks to public health and the environment from pesticides are large.
As parents we need to keep our children safe and keep them playing outdoors!
RT @balmeras the Flipside of Childhood. http://bit.ly/vtyU Why unstructured play is priceless!
Parents, adults, children: This is a great reminder to live life to fullest: RT @balmeras: the Flipside of Childhood. http://bit.ly/vtyU
What an inspiring article! Thanks for reminding us again and again about the value of not trying to figure out value.
This got me thinking about how I, as an adult, might allow myself a little more “unstructured play”: My brain development is quite different, but I suspect there is still a complex set of benefits for us grownups, even now.
Go outside and have some unstructured play, kid. (via @suburbnews) http://bit.ly/Z8XAt
Incredible post again! Take a minute with our @balmeras: the Flipside of Childhood. http://bit.ly/vtyU
RT @TomVMorris Incredible post again! Take a minute with our @balmeras: the Flipside of Childhood. http://bit.ly/vtyU
What we need to learn from kids: A 30 second read to change your approach to the world: @balmeras: http://bit.ly/vtyU (via @TomVMorris)
RT @TomVMorris: Incredible post again! Take a minute with our @balmeras: the Flipside of Childhood. http://bit.ly/vtyU
Another must read from @balmeras http://tinyurl.com/c5qtyc (via @addthis)
Upside of unstructured play (dovetails w/ case for parks): Read, via @TomVMorris, @balmeras‘s post: Flipside of Childhood http://bit.ly/vtyU
RT @balmeras the Flipside of Childhood. http://bit.ly/vtyU Why unstructured play is priceless!
Parents, adults, children: This is a great reminder to live life to fullest: RT @balmeras: the Flipside of Childhood. http://bit.ly/vtyU
Go outside and have some unstructured play, kid. (via @suburbnews) http://bit.ly/Z8XAt
Incredible post again! Take a minute with our @balmeras: the Flipside of Childhood. http://bit.ly/vtyU
RT @TomVMorris Incredible post again! Take a minute with our @balmeras: the Flipside of Childhood. http://bit.ly/vtyU
What we need to learn from kids: A 30 second read to change your approach to the world: @balmeras: http://bit.ly/vtyU (via @TomVMorris)
RT @TomVMorris: Incredible post again! Take a minute with our @balmeras: the Flipside of Childhood. http://bit.ly/vtyU
Another must read from @balmeras http://tinyurl.com/c5qtyc (via @addthis)
Upside of unstructured play (dovetails w/ case for parks): Read, via @TomVMorris, @balmeras‘s post: Flipside of Childhood http://bit.ly/vtyU
As mom who “lets” kids get messy (many parents don’t!), I like this blog: Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/vtyU via @ColinUdeLewis
As mom who “lets” kids get messy (many parents don’t!), I like this blog: Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/vtyU via @ColinUdeLewis
I was just writing a blog post on a similar topic on how crafts aid a child’s development and feel you have hit the nail on the head with your post.
The Flipside of Childhood | The Grass Stain Guru http://t.co/5zr9kMXl #parenting #kids
The Flipside of Childhood | The Grass Stain Guru http://t.co/5zr9kMXl #parenting #kids
RT @balmeras: The Flipside of Childhood | The Grass Stain Guru http://t.co/mesDzefb #parenting #kids Fantastic Post!
The Flipside of Childhood | The Grass Stain Guru http://t.co/5zr9kMXl #parenting #kids
RT @balmeras: The Flipside of Childhood | The Grass Stain Guru http://t.co/mesDzefb #parenting #kids Fantastic Post!
RT @TopsyRT: The Flipside of Childhood http://t.co/XWs7FtdD thanks @bethalmaras!