{"id":4081,"date":"2024-05-31T16:41:53","date_gmt":"2024-05-31T16:41:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essayguidance.com\/?p=4081"},"modified":"2024-07-08T22:38:20","modified_gmt":"2024-07-08T22:38:20","slug":"unstructured-play-based-learning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/unstructured-play-based-learning\/","title":{"rendered":"Unstructured Play: 13 Pros &#038; Cons for Learning"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:2px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><summary>\u27a1\ufe0f Study Card<\/summary>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"724\" src=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/unstructured-play-examples-and-definition-1024x724.jpg\" alt=\"unstructured play examples and definition, explained below\" class=\"wp-image-31564\" srcset=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/unstructured-play-examples-and-definition-1024x724.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/unstructured-play-examples-and-definition-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/unstructured-play-examples-and-definition-768x543.jpg 768w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/unstructured-play-examples-and-definition.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:2px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><summary>\u27a1\ufe0f Introduction<\/summary>\n<p><strong>The benefits of unstructured play are increasingly being recognized early childhood education. It seems like every school now has a play based curriculum.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is plenty of research pointing to benefits of play for learning. This has led educators to move away from academic based learning for children in the early years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, what are the pros and cons of unstructured play at preschool? I&#8217;ll outline all the research on children learning through play in this article!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read Also: <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/teaching-strategies\/\">A List of 107 Effective Classroom Teaching Strategies<\/a><\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:2px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><summary>\u27a1\ufe0f Definition of Unstructured Play<\/summary>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"check1\">Unstructured Play Definition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Unstructured play might also be called:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Free play;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unguided play;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spontaneous play;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adventure play<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Scholars define unstructured play in the following ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/files.eric.ed.gov\/fulltext\/EJ889717.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Izumi-Taylor, Samuelsson and Rogers (2010, p. 3)<\/a> state that unstructured play involves \u201c\u2026children initiating play and having many choices as well as a long play period.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.ca\/books?id=jLqXM3U_pzEC&amp;pg=PA767&amp;dq=%22unstructured+play%22&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjLpe3L3pvhAhXW6Z4KHe9VBQwQ6wEIMjAB#v=onepage&amp;q=%22unstructured%20play%22&amp;f=false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Carr (2009, p. 768)<\/a> explains that unstructured play is \u201cassociated with the absence of external constraints and the exercising of personal freedom.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/profile\/Mariana_Brussoni\/publication\/282153607_Beyond_Physical_Activity_The_Importance_of_Play_and_Nature-Based_Play_Spaces_for_Children%27s_Health_and_Development\/links\/5689be4b08ae1e63f1f902b5\/Beyond-Physical-Activity-The-Importance-of-Play-and-Nature-Based-Play-Spaces-for-Childrens-Health-and-Development.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Herrington and Brussoni (2016, p. 1)<\/a> state that unstructured play \u201cis not planned or led by adults, but is spontaneous and directed by the children themselves.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sas.upenn.edu\/~deenas\/papers\/weisberg-hirshpasek-golinkoff-mbe-2013.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Weisberg, Hirsh-Pasek and Golinkoff (2013, p. 105)<\/a> argue that free play contains \u201cthe following qualities: the activities are fun, voluntary, flexible, involve active engagement, have no extrinsic goals, involve active engagement of the child, and often have an element of make-believe\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:2px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><summary>\u27a1\ufe0f Pros and Cons Table Summary<\/summary>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"check2\">List of Pros and Cons of Unstructured Play<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Pros of Unstructured Play<\/th><th>Cons of Unstructured Play<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>1. Encourages creativity<\/td><td>1. May not lead to learning<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2. Encourages democratic thinking<\/td><td>2. Is not always the best approach<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3. Encourages communication skills<\/td><td>3. Children still need guidance<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>4. Builds resilience<\/td><td>4. Parents may not agree with it<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>5. Encourages self-regulation<\/td><td>5. Could be unsafe in some instances<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>6. Helps children let off steam<\/td><td>6. Could lead to social bullying &amp; exclusion<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Benefits of Unstructured Play for Children<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group softborder is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. It Encourages Creativity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-262.png\" alt=\"child painting\" class=\"wp-image-38499\" style=\"width:365px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-262.png 1024w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-262-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-262-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-262-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-262-70x70.png 70w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In unstructured play environments, children need to make their own decisions on how to make use of their surrounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This forces children to use their own creativity skills to come up with ways to use an manipulate their surroundings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jean Piaget, the most influential child development theorist in history, spoke of children being \u201clone scientists.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By this, Piaget meant that when children are out interacting with their environments they are discovering, experimenting and exploring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Without any set rules, children are given a blank slate. Unstructured play is a choose your own adventure: children can choose to use a hammer for its purpose (to hit nails into wood) or for any other purpose they creatively put their mind to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To squash bugs;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To dig holes;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To write their name in the soil<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Or \u2026 any other way they see fit!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a teacher or parent was there instructing the child on how to use a hammer, their opportunities for discovery and exploration are dramatically limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep an open mind \u2013 heck, think like a kid! \u2013 and you\u2019ll see that unstructured free play does wonders for helping grow children\u2019s creative sites.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group softborder is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. It Encourages Democratic Thinking<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-193.png\" alt=\"children in conversation\" class=\"wp-image-38064\" style=\"width:365px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-193.png 1024w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-193-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-193-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-193-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-193-70x70.png 70w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A playground without rules can be a nightmare!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But beneath all the chaos, children are actually learning something very important: democracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stand back and observe. Sure, sometimes it goes off the rails and causes fighting, hitting and screaming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But dig deeper. Have you ever seen children agreeably negotiating roles in a game? Have you ever looked on with pride at children taking turns, ensuring equality or calling out bad behavior?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unstructured play environments are great spaces for children to practice the skills we constantly try to reinforce at home and in the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s some democratic skills you might observe in an unstructured play environment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Negotiation;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Turn Taking;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Creating Group Rules;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reflecting on Justice and Equality;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inclusion;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tolerance of Difference;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/conflict-resolution-examples\/\">Conflict Resolution<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The great thing about free play is that this is the time and place where those skills are reinforced without adults providing permission or scaffolding. It\u2019s the moment when all our encouragement and hard work really comes home to roost.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group softborder is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. It Encourages Communication Skills<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-283.png\" alt=\"role playing in the classroom\" class=\"wp-image-38584\" style=\"width:365px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-283.png 1024w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-283-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-283-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-283-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-283-70x70.png 70w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Lev Vygotsky taught us that we learn and develop <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/sociocultural-theory-education\/\">primarily through language<\/a>. It is through talking things through that we develop a shared cultural understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unstructured play environments can be rich in language use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Place groups of children in an unstructured play environment and the first thing you\u2019ll notice is that most children will gravitate towards playing together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During these group play situations, children will be spending their time talking things out. They will explain to their friends how they\u2019re playing, what they\u2019re playing with and what ideas they have for their play scenarios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By talking things through, children will begin to see each other\u2019s perspectives. They will also learn to observe and mimic how other children their age talk and the vocabulary they use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By communicating in unstructured spaces, children begin to develop shared understandings, which progresses all students\u2019 cognitive and <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/sociocultural-theory-education\/\">social development<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group softborder is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. It Builds Resilience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-311.png\" alt=\"child who hurt his knee\" class=\"wp-image-38640\" style=\"width:365px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-311.png 1024w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-311-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-311-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-311-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-311-70x70.png 70w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Maria Montessori is a strong advocate of non-interventionist teaching because it builds resilience (see: <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/montessori-values\/\">Montessori values<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Montessori, the best thing to do is to let a child figure things out for themselves. Children learn through adversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a few emotions children may feel when playing in unstructured environments:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Confusion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Frustration<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Uncertainty<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Failure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It is in these moments where resilience is built. Rather than intervening and showing a child solutions, let them figure the solutions out themselves. Give the child space to learn and experiment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When a child manages to navigate their way out of tough or uncomfortable situations they will develop an important self-concept of themselves as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Competent<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Capable<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Resilient<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These skills are some of the most important skills we can encourage for the children in our care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, of course, there are limitations to how much frustration and uncertainty a child can go through before we intervene! I will discuss the disadvantages of unstructured play later in this piece.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group softborder is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. It Encourages Self-Regulation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-187.png\" alt=\"baby playing with a ball\" class=\"wp-image-38050\" style=\"width:365px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-187.png 1024w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-187-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-187-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-187-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-187-70x70.png 70w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The concept of the \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/helicopter-parenting-examples\/\">helicopter parent<\/a>\u2019 is one I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve heard of. It\u2019s a term used to describe a parent who hovers over their child, refusing to give them space. This has <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/helicopter-parenting-effects\/\">plenty of negative effects<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Children need space to (relatively safely) fail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A grazed knee will cause a few tears, but it won\u2019t kill anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s this got to do with self-regulation?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When children are exposed to potential dangers, they learn to be more aware of themselves and their environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Give a child a chance to be in a risky situation and see what happens. You might be surprised how well children can identify and manage risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If we adults carry too much of the risk analysis burden for a child, then the child will never learn the <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/importance-of-managers\/\">important art of risk management<\/a> and mitigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In other words, children need to be exposed to reasonable risks to achieve reasonable self-regulation strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/risky-play-in-early-childhood\/\">Related: 9+ Benefits of Risk Taking in Early Childhood<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group softborder is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. It Helps Children Let off Steam<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-307.png\" alt=\"children playing in playground\" class=\"wp-image-38632\" style=\"width:365px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-307.png 1024w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-307-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-307-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-307-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-307-70x70.png 70w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Any teacher would tell you that the more you box a student up in a silent, structured classroom environment, the more children build up a head of steam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You just can\u2019t expect a young child to sit still and follow strict rules all day long. Children just don\u2019t have the required attention span (heck, as an adult, I don\u2019t!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The most common form of unstructured play seen in schools is recess and lunch breaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These forms of unstructured play allow students to refresh themselves, let out built-up energy, and eventually return to structured tasks with a fresh mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s how <a href=\"https:\/\/files.eric.ed.gov\/fulltext\/EJ963739.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Burriss and Burriss (2011, p. 2)<\/a> say it in a scholarly journal article:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cThe time spent in quality recess allows children to recover from the school schedule in an unstructured way that allows them to continue traditional indoor classroom lessons with renewed attention. [\u2026] distributing children\u2019s efforts between structured and unstructured tasks proves beneficial.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"check3\"><strong>Disadvantages of Unstructured Play for Children<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are plenty of arguments against unstructured play for learners. So, here are the main limitations of unstructured play:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group softborder is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7. It may not Lead to Learning<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-197.png\" alt=\"children playing together\" class=\"wp-image-38071\" style=\"width:365px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-197.png 1024w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-197-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-197-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-197-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-197-70x70.png 70w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Have you ever had a child who was perfectly content playing the exact same game day in, day out?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If children simply repeat the same play activity over and again, the benefits will diminish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Children should always be engaging in situations that throw up new challenges. This is a strong argument for teachers\u2019 interventions in children\u2019s play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many ways around this. Primarily, children\u2019s play environments should be rich with stimuli but also widely varied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider taking children to new play locations outside of their comfort zone so that they may find new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Similarly, if you identify toys or games children gravitate to when they are allowed to engage in free play, consider subtly removing those toys from the environment to encourage children to use their creativity to come up with new activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, you could consider mixing-up a child\u2019s playmates. New playmates will add a new variable to the learning environment which will prove educational for all.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group softborder is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>8. It may not be best for Child Development<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/child-growing.jpg\" alt=\"child growing\" class=\"wp-image-38065\" style=\"width:365px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/child-growing.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/child-growing-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/child-growing-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/child-growing-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/child-growing-70x70.jpg 70w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Children \u2018develop\u2019 by being exposed to progressively more difficult concepts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You may know the concept of \u2018Zone of Proximal Development\u2019. This concept reinforces the idea that children should be exposed to tasks that are challenging for a child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The tasks can\u2019t be too easy, but also can\u2019t be too hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you get the difficulty level of a task just right, the child\u2019s learning will be sped up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In other words, psychologists like Vygotsky believe we can actually speed up a child\u2019s development through our interventions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately the optimal environment for hitting the perfect ZPD for a child doesn\u2019t just automatically happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You have to intervene in the environment and help the child learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We call these interventions \u2018scaffolding\u2019. This term was invented by a theorist named Bruner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of the most common scaffolding techniques include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Modelling;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Questioning;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Breaking a task down into bite-sized chunks;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/prompting-examples\/\">Prompting<\/a>; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Many more strategies\u2026<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Such theorists would imply that your active intervention in children\u2019s play may help speed up their development and ensure no time is wasted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/sociocultural-theory-education\/\">Related: Sociocultural Theory of Education (Ultimate Guide)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group softborder is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>9. \u2018Guided Play\u2019 might be More Appropriate<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-305.png\" alt=\"guided play\" class=\"wp-image-38630\" style=\"width:365px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-305.png 1024w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-305-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-305-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-305-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-305-70x70.png 70w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Many socio-cultural theorists also argue that educators should engage in \u2018guided play\u2019. Through guided play, educators set goals for learning and carefully set up the learning environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In guided play teachers may ensure children focus on certain toys or games. However, within the set confines, they encourage children to direct the flow of the activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s how <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sas.upenn.edu\/~deenas\/papers\/weisberg-hirshpasek-golinkoff-mbe-2013.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Weisberg, Hirsh-Pasek and Golinkoff (2013, p. 105)<\/a> explain it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cGuided play lies midway between <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/direct-instruction-examples\/\">direct instruction<\/a> and free play, presenting a learning goal, and scaffolding the environment while allowing children to maintain a large degree of control over their learning.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>If scholars like Weisberg, Hirsh-Pasek and Golinkoff (2013) are to be believed, there is a significant payoff for striking this delectate balance between structured and unstructured play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/guided-practice\/\">Related: Scaffolding Learning using the I Do, We Do, You Do Method<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group softborder is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>10. Unstructured Play may be Unfair<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-192.png\" alt=\"children playing\" class=\"wp-image-38063\" style=\"width:365px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-192.png 1024w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-192-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-192-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-192-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-192-70x70.png 70w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I spoke earlier about the role of unstructured play for encouraging <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/citizenship-education\/\">democratic citizenship<\/a> between children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, anyone who has been around a child for 5 minutes knows children can be very narcissistic. They just haven\u2019t yet developed the capacity to see things from others\u2019 perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This isn\u2019t the child\u2019s fault \u2013 they need time to learn and make mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nonetheless, children can be mean to one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I was a bit of a loser when I was a kid. I didn\u2019t have many friends, and the recess and lunch breaks at school were not good to me. I was always unsure who to hang out with and whether I\u2019d be accepted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If there aren\u2019t rules or adults governing how things happen, kids like me can become ostracised very fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In my classrooms I build up to unstructured play. I teach and model fairness, group work and inclusion from day one. I need to know that the children in my care are going to treat one another kindly, and it can take a lot of intervention from me to achieve this goal.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group softborder is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>11. It can be Unsafe<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-194.png\" alt=\"children playing in tree\" class=\"wp-image-38066\" style=\"width:365px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-194.png 1024w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-194-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-194-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-194-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-194-70x70.png 70w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In our modern world, we suffer badly from anxiety about our children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I feel like I\u2019m always three steps away from either the children in my care getting hurt or, maybe more likely, parents judging me for creating an unsafe learning environment for their children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is compounded by the endless institutional rules around safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In our hyper-anxious societies, \u2018play anxiety\u2019 is a real issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I ask my university students all the time whether they\u2019d let their own kids play alone on the street, play with toys with sharp edges, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regularly, my students retort that No, they\u2019d NEVER let their children play in environment that would have been considered perfectly safe not 30 years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unstructured play leads to many fears of lack of safety. Telling a child to \u2018go out there and explore!\u2019 can lead to some situations you just didn\u2019t expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Expect a kid to come back to you holding a rusted piece of metal at some stage during free outdoor play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether this is a risk you\u2019re willing to take has a lot to do with your environment, your school\u2019s rules, children\u2019s parents and your own tolerance for risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But don\u2019t forget, risk taking can be good for children, too!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group softborder is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>12. It may not be Ideal for Language Development<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/confused-child.jpg\" alt=\"confused child\" class=\"wp-image-38067\" style=\"width:365px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/confused-child.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/confused-child-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/confused-child-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/confused-child-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/confused-child-70x70.jpg 70w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Earlier I said unstructured play is good for language development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s true. But only to an extent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The fact of the matter is that there needs to be a \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/more-knowledgeable-others-examples\/\">more knowledgeable other<\/a>\u201d (That\u2019s Vygotsky\u2019s term) to model language and vocabulary in order for children\u2019s language skills to develop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In other words, children will learn language skills from one another. Of course!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But there comes a time when there needs to be an adult there to offer harder and harder learning opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If an unstructured play environment does not provide reasonable challenges and extensions to children\u2019s learning, then it will not be effective.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group softborder is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>13. Parents may Disagree with Unstructured Play<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-290.png\" alt=\"parent observing child play\" class=\"wp-image-38600\" style=\"width:365px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-290.png 1024w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-290-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-290-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-290-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-290-70x70.png 70w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This is not a pedagogical limitation. However, it is an important challenge that we face when trying to encourage children to play in unstructured environments. For example, Carr (2009, p. 768) says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cOne of the most problematic features of children\u2019s unstructured play is that to the outsider, especially the adult outsider, it can appear to be little more than wasting time.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>You may come across this problem a lot in your educational setting. In these situations, it is important to emphasize the value of unstructured play for children\u2019s development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have already outlined what those benefits are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some strategies you may like to employ to get parents on your side in situations like this include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Communicating <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/pedagogical-skills\/\">Pedagogical<\/a> Value. <\/strong>Sending home annotated photos of children engaging in unstructured play. In your annotations, explain what physical, social and <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/cognitive-skills\/\">cognitive skills<\/a> the children are employing. For example, you can highlight the fine and <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/gross-motor-skills-examples\/\">gross motor skills employed<\/a>, the fact that the children are negotiating roles in their games, and how they are learning about the objects in their play environment;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Listening to parents to understand their concerns.<\/strong> Sometimes if you introduce certain toys and tools into the play environment that were suggested by parents, you\u2019ll win them over.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group softborder is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>14. School Leadership may Disagree with Unstructured Play<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-244.png\" alt=\"school administrators\" class=\"wp-image-38357\" style=\"width:365px\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Your boss may also disagree with unstructured play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I find this happens a lot with my students who work in early learning settings. Their bosses often insist they muck in and play <em>with <\/em>the students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Often, this is the boss\u2019s anxiety about their staff appearing idle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To allay this issue, consider ways you can work around the edges to support unstructured play like taking notes on the developmental skills the students have learned during the play time to show your boss you\u2019re not just sitting around doing nothing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<p><strong>Learn More about Types of Play Based Learning:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/symbolic-play\/\">Symbolic Play<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/cooperative-play\/\">Cooperative Play<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/stages-of-play\/\">The 6 Stages of Play<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/pretend-play\/\">Pretend Play<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/types-of-play\/\">Types of Play<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/parallel-play\/\">Parallel Play<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/child-initiated-play\/\">Child Initiated Play<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"check4\"><strong>A Summary of the Advantages and Disadvantages of Unstructured Play<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This post really has shown how much conjecture and disagreement there is around the true value of unstructured play. However, unstructured play is still widely understood by the experts to be very good for children\u2019s learning as part of a mix of a range of positive structured, guided and unstructured learning scenarios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a summary of the benefits and limitations of unstructured play:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Benefits of Unstructured Play<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It Encourages Creativity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It Encourages Democratic Thinking<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It Encourages Communication Skills<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It Builds Resilience<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It Encourages Self-Regulation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It Helps Children Release Steam<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Limitations of Unstructured Play<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"7\">\n<li>It may not Lead to Learning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It may not be best for Child Development<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2018Guided Play\u2019 might be More Appropriate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It may be Unfair<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It can be Unsafe<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It may not be Ideal for Language Development<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Parents may Disagree with Unstructured Play<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your Boss or School Leadership may Disagree with Unstructured Play<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>More Articles in the Educational Theories Series<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/behaviorism\/\">Behaviorist Theory in Education<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/sociocultural-theory-education\/\">Sociocultural Theory in Education<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/humanist-theory-in-education\/\">Humanist Theory in Education<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Related Posts on Education<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/education-for-sustainable-development\/\">Principles of Education for Sustainable Development<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/high-expectations-for-students\/\">How to Communicate High Expectations to Students<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Read our 13+ pros and cons of unstructured play based learning for children&#8217;s learning and development. Great ideas here for teachers, university students and lecturers!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4111,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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