Play, for children, is not just recreation - it's their approach to life! Every action is undertaken with the whole being: mind, body, and spirit. Play is basic to children's well-being. It's their way to discover the world around them and to express how they feel and, sometimes, to cope with difficulty.
Although children's play just 'happens' spontaneously, it is complex and comes in myriad forms. One universal type is open-ended play, also known as free-flow play (Bruce 1991), in which the children themselves determine what to do, how to do it, and what to use.
Open-ended means 'not having a fixed answer; unrestricted; allowing for future change'. In the course of such play, children have no fear of doing it wrong, since there is no 'correct' method or outcome. Observant adults are privileged with insights into children's development and thinking.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here