Play Like a Rebel!

 

You may have seen on previous blogs or on our social media platforms that we talk a lot about loose parts, process art etc. All of these come under the same category of open ended play!

Open ended play is play with no rules, instructions or predetermined outcome, it is the rebel of the play world! If you're anything like me, that is appealing in itself, I have always struggled not to challenge the "rules"! But maybe you are more of a rule follower where everything has it's place and purpose? Read on and I'll share why having moments of playing like a rebel is the way forward!

Imagination

Open ended toys such as pegs, blocks, wood slices and wobble boards don't have a prescribed purpose, therefore children have to use their imagination and engage in thinking creatively. We have no idea what the world will be like in 20 years, that is why imagination and creativity are going to be so important for our kids!

Independence

A jigsaw puzzle will always have an end, your child may need help to complete the puzzle and there is definitely a right way to do it.  By giving children open ended play materials you are giving them the opportunity to not only play independently but also extend the time that they play.

Increase Confidence

Life comes with lots of non-negotiables, no we can't have biscuits for dinner, jump in front of cars or stay up until 2am, when you're 3 that is pretty hard to understand. If we can give our kids autonomy over their play we are showing we trust in them and they get to show us exactly what they can do! If there is no correct way to do it children become less afraid of making mistakes.

Important Skills

To keep it brief, this is going to really help your child's cognitive, gross and fine motor skills! Problem solving, creative thinking, experimenting, perseverance and hundreds more skills can be developed through open ended play.

Please don't take this to mean that close ended play isn't important, it absolutely has it's place too but in my experience children will be given many more opportunities for adult lead close ended play than open ended so let's have some fun!