Theory of playing with free materials

Have you ever noticed what children play with the most enthusiasm? That's right: with the simplest things and with what you call "trash": blocks, lids, coins, shreds, cardboard and foil .

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Outdoors, children love to play with sticks, tires, plastic tubes, sand and pebbles, crates and boxes, nets, car tires, hoses, pieces of foam, leaves and bumps.

And not at all with expensive purchased toys, the interest in which always does not last long.

AND...

Let's get acquainted with the theory of Loose Parts. It is based on the idea that children need free, unformed materials, unstructured, unfixed in space to play . Children themselves should be able to easily pick up and move them, move them, pour them, pour them.

All these things are really fun to play with!

Moreover, scientists came to the conclusion that modern children have begun to play little - and this is not due to gadgets and lack of time, but to the widespread strengthening of control by adults and general urbanization. There is simply no room for children. This position even has its own name, helicopter strategy. Its meaning is that adults constantly patrol the child, depriving him of free activity, literally hovering over the child, like "helicopters". Controlling not only security, but also often prohibiting playing "without meaning", trying to cram a useful teaching moment everywhere.

The game today is usually viewed primarily as a means of learning, carried out under the guidance of adults in centers, courses. These are no longer games, but training . Let it be playful, but learning, and not independent free play. Children just can't play on their own anymore. No matter how they say today that "our toys develop imagination", this is not entirely true. Fantasy develops the freedom of creativity , which modern children have very little left.

The game allows you to create, because the game is a safe reality, it allows you to sort out options and find a solution, to recognize yourself and others. Children should play and be able to create games. They should be interested. And the most important thing that a child gains while playing is an understanding of "I can" . It is most important. And everything else is already learning, which is easier if the child is confident in his abilities.

But in less urbanized communities, children still play heartily , despite the daily chores, education, help with the household with animals and other chores. Another point is important here: the ability to play not only at home, alone, but also on the street, with friends. Outside the city, children usually have such an opportunity.

So, what can you do: if you are in the city, at least start a box with cherished little things at home, a treasure chest - with chopsticks, pebbles, buttons and other little things with which children can easily arrange interesting games.

Don't teach children how to play, just let them play for themselves.