Note that each module in the Qualification - Child Development Certificate is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.
Why is free play important?
While free play is a very important part of the childhood experience, it is not always possible or desirable that children are just left to play when, where and how they wish. Sometimes, their situation does not encourage or support free play. Sometimes, lack of social skills, shyness, cultural differences or other factors can limit the child’s ability to initiate play or to interact in a relaxed and enjoyable manner with other children. Often, working parents rely on supervised programs to provide safe and enjoyable care after school hours or during holidays.
Play programs can take a variety of forms. Some can be loosely program, providing resources and opportunities for free play in a supervised and contained situation. Others can involve structured play activities. Structure is not necessarily an impediment to play, but it must be carefully planned and managed to avoid losing the vital ‘play’ aspects of intrinsic motivation, optimal arousal and control.
Aside from the benefits of structure and predictability offered by play programs, there are other important benefits, some of which are listed below.
- A degree of structure can introduce children to play options that they might not otherwise have considered.
- A program can provide a range of stimuli and experiences for the child.
- A program can increase children’s opportunities for socialising with others of the same or other age groups.
- A program can make it easier for children to participate in group activities.
- A program can provide support for those children who need it, when they need it.
- A well-designed program can improve inclusiveness by providing a range of activities that meet different children’s needs.
- A program can provide an adult presence that can be very reassuring to young children, and agreeable to older children (who have been shown to seek out responsive adults for conversation).
- And very important, a program, if properly managed, can decrease the likelihood of anti-social, bullying or excluding behaviours (such as not allowing another child to join in or to even watch).
Who Should Study This Course?
This course is suitable for anyone wanting to learn more about children, how they think and why they behave the way that they do.
For example -
- Parents
- Foster carers
- Social workers
- Teachers
- Care assistants
- Teaching assistants
- Support workers
- Play specialists
Any Questions?
