You may have heard of unstructured play as free play time, when your child can express themselves however they want, but did you know that it’s actually a great workout for the brain? Research shows that unstructured play is fundamental for helping your child grow by increasing the neural connectivity in their brain. Here’s how.

1. Creative Thinking

One way unstructured play is healthy for the brain is that it requires a lot of creativity. Creativity can mean using the imagination to develop new rule sets and scenarios, but it can also mean viewing the same playtime objects like blocks and boxes in new ways. Being able to re-imagine the same toys with new purpose and new possibilities for interaction is incredibly good for the growth of neurons, and can help the brain develop later as teens.

2. Problem Solving

Along with creative thinking, problem solving is a regular occurrence during free play. Your child is constantly encountering new situations during unstructured play, such as imaginary monsters to defeat, or abstract goals to achieve like building the ultimate fort. Without clearly defined rules or instructions, your child will be using their decision making and problem solving muscles throughout the process, which is great for brain development at this age.

3. Social Skills

When your child plays with others without rules, there are a lot of opportunities for social growth. Being able to come up with a game or explore playtime items like sticks or art supplies with others encourages your child to learn how to share and work together with a friend. It can also require your child to experience decision making in a group when developing a game or imaginary world. Plus, they can experience negative social situations such as when a friend doesn’t agree with rules, which they will have to learn to navigate. Either way, the new situations allow for the development of social skills.

4. Independent Thinking

When your child leads the activity, instead of having a parent or other authority figure control playtime, they get an experience of freedom, which is great for children. While children need to learn the rules of different scenarios, such as how to behave in a classroom, there is a benefit to playing without control sometimes. In fact, when children never get the chance to be in control, they could be at risk of developing anxiety and depression. Unstructured play time is a great way to allow your child to have the sense of control and freedom so they can practice independent thinking. It can also boost their sense of self and help them uncover their personality as they can experiment with different toys or ways to play as they find their greatest interests.

That’s Not All!

Unstructured play is fun too! You’ll be amazed at how your child’s imagination can work as they get more practice with free play. Their personality will come out, they’ll learn to play with others, and they’ll be getting smarter the whole time. We suggest that you encourage more unstructured play in your child’s life because everyone can find something to enjoy.

Boy playing with a toy car. Credit: pexels

It is common for some mothers to feel guilty when returning to work after maternity leave. Not only might you want to be there for your child each day, but you also might be afraid of missing out on many of their first moments.

However, it is important to remember you are working hard to give your son or daughter a better life. While you might feel guilty at first, the emotions will eventually subside, and you’ll realize that returning to your career is the best option for both you and your family.

Author Bio:
Andy Earle is a researcher who studies parent-teen communication and adolescent risk behaviors. He is the co-founder of talkingtoteens.com and host of the Talking to Teens podcast, a free weekly talk show for parents of teenagers.

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