What if we paused and looked at play differently?

What if we paused and looked at play differently? 

A big question that has me thinking about how we often feel the need to entertain our children. Do you feel compelled to fill every moment with activities and plans? How comfortable are you with the times when boredom creeps into your child’s play?

Here’s what 29 years of teaching Kindergarten and raising two beautiful children has taught me. When children are given time, space, and thoughtfully chosen materials, something magical happens. They begin to follow their own curiosity. They test ideas. They push through periods of boredom with innate wonder and perseverance.

Self-directed play where children can expand their ideas, gather materials, and play with intention doesn’t just happen. It begins with trusting that children are capable of leading their own play and learning when the environment invites exploration and imagination.

When we create space and time for uninterrupted play, children don't need us to direct the experience or fill every moment with an activity. They take care of the rest, building independence, confidence, and a deep sense of wonder along the way.

"Children learn through play,

play is how they explore the world,

learn how to assess risk,

try things out and get to know themselves."

Bethe Almeras

You might be wondering where to start, or perhaps you are searching for fresh inspiration on your journey with children. Let’s begin with the environment. This includes more than just space and materials. Children’s play is deep and complex, multi-layered and intrinsic. Their play space, however, can be simple, open-ended, and transformational.

Begin by curating a space with materials that speak toyour child and offer limitless possibilities. Some of our favourites include wooden blocks, loose-part trays, a mirror, found recycled objects, fabric/scarves, natural items, figurines, and vehicles. These materials can be placed and sorted into baskets, trays, or even a rolling tiered cart. A simple shelf and a small child-sized table with floor space next to it will invite play daily.

When introducing children to open-ended materials for the first time, allow free exploration so they can build a relationship with the items' characteristics and come to know them. Children need repeated opportunities to work with the same materials for extended periods. It is in the slow, "I don't know what to do," moments that children learn to push themselves and expand their thinking. Be patient and supportive with questions such as, "What are you thinking?" "I wonder what you will do next?" Let the magic of play unfold in all of its messiness.

When my own children were small, we dedicated a shelf within our main living space just for their play materials. We also had a small child-sized table in our kitchen area where we could see them as we prepared meals, and you know, did all the busy things daily life with young children requires.

Materials were curated, rotated, and informed by the children's interests. This approach worked for us and helped them develop independence, confidence, and self-directed play. They were always eager to share their play creations, discuss their ideas, and revisit previous play explorations.

Play is often found in the quiet moments when children are trusted with time, space, and materials that invite them to wonder, explore, and lead. When we pause, step back, and observe, we begin to see children differently. We notice their capabilities. Their persistence. Their deep desire to make sense of the world through play.

If this reflection resonated with you, I'd love to hear from you. What does play look like in your home or learning space right now? Have you noticed moments where stepping back allowed something unexpected to unfold?

Please leave a comment below or share this post with another parent or educator who may be navigating the same questions about play environments and independent play. Sometimes, all it takes is a shared reflection to begin seeing play and childhood a little differently.

Sending love & creativity,
𝑀𝒾𝒸𝒽𝑒𝓁𝓁𝑒