In the realm of adulthood, the concepts of play and productivity are typically kept separate. Rarely do we encounter individuals describing work responsibilities or household tasks as enjoyable. However, within the realm of parenthood, play holds paramount significance. A recent study featured in the publication Frontiers in Developmental Psychology sheds light on the critical role and impact of play in the cognitive development of children. The research revealed that while parents are increasingly recognizing the educational value of play, there exist misconceptions regarding the most effective types of play conducive to aiding children in achieving learning objectives.
In the words of Charlotte Wright, a senior research associate at Temple University and one of the study’s authors, “Until recently, people generally considered play to be the opposite of work and learning. What we see in our study is that this separation no longer exists in the eyes of parents — a positive development.” She further emphasized, “While free play is crucial for children’s well-being, recent research emphasizes that guided play is a more effective approach to support children’s learning in reading, STEM, and learning-to-learn skills like attention, memory, and flexible thinking.”
But what exactly is guided play? According to a 2016 study published in the Association for Psychological Science journal, guided play entails learning experiences that merge the child-directed nature of free play with a focus on learning outcomes and adult mentorship.
Fortunately, there are numerous examples of guided play that are both simple to incorporate and may already be part of family routines. Activities such as sensory exploration, constructive play, hands-on exploration, or tinkering tasks, like embarking on nature walks as a family, using playdough or a dry-erase board for letter and number formation, or engaging in activities that combine movement and music, all fall under the umbrella of guided play.
Effective implementation of guided play necessitates some level of adult guidance. This could involve adults initiating specific activities that grant children autonomy to explore, such as assigning a task to a child in a store or prompting them to search for rocks of a certain color in the park. Alternatively, adults can participate in child-directed activities by asking questions or offering encouragement. Striking a balance is crucial, as excessive directives from adults may hinder children from taking the initiative.
The distinction between guided play and free play is significant, with both playing crucial roles in a child’s development. While parents often perceive free play, where children have unrestricted freedom to play as they please, as the most beneficial for learning, guided play, games, and direct instruction also hold educational value.
Research findings indicate a correlation between parents’ educational background, household income, and their preferences regarding play styles for learning. Parents of girls tend to prioritize free play as the most educational, while both Black and Hispanic parents are more inclined to view direct instruction as more effective than various forms of play.
The study authors attribute these preferences to the novelty of research on different play methodologies, which has yet to permeate mainstream awareness. They also highlight that guided play necessitates parental engagement during play experiences, potentially leading to a higher value being placed on free play over guided play.
Parents exhibit a greater appreciation for guided play when they possess a deeper understanding of current insights into child cognitive development. Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek emphasized the need to enhance parents’ knowledge regarding the significance of play, enabling them to create guided play opportunities in everyday scenarios like household chores, outdoor excursions, or puzzle-solving activities. By recognizing these moments as valuable learning experiences within everyday play, parents can foster their children’s growth while enjoying a more fulfilling parenting journey.
While the focused attention and intentional involvement demanded by guided play may sometimes overwhelm parents, child development experts do not advocate for a complete shift to guided play exclusively. Rather, researchers aim to raise awareness of its benefits and assist parents in seamlessly integrating this practice into their routines, presenting a mutually beneficial scenario for both parents and children.
It is important to note that while there is a call for increased appreciation of guided play, free play remains invaluable. Therefore, parents should not feel guilty for taking a brief respite or attending to tasks while their child engages in independent play, as these fleeting moments are indeed precious.