“In short, play is how children learn to take control of their lives.”.- Peter Gray, from Free to Learn

Organized/structured (adult-directed) activities and sports are not play. Play by definition is self-directed and self-controlled.

Undirected play allows children to learn how to work in groups, to share, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts, and to learn self-advocacy skills. When play is allowed to be child-driven, children practice decision-making skills, move at their own pace, discover their own areas of interest, and ultimately engage fully in the passions they wish to pursue.

“Play is the only way the highest intelligence of humankind can unfold.” - Joseph Chilton Pearce (childhood-development expert)

Considerable new research supports the importance of play - especially unstructured play, for early childhood development.

Play is where.....

• Children learn to control their own life.
• They learn to solve their own problems.
• Kids experience joy.
• They learn the world is not so depressing.
• Children learn to get along with their peers and see other’s point of view.