Two Types of Play, Two Types of Fun, ALL Types of Learning

PLAY…a word described as having fun.  But, there’s a hidden secret behind play.  Ready for it? LEARNING.  Children learn best through play!  This blog post will talk about the two types of play, examples and benefits, and suggestions, strategies, and tips.

Two Types of Play You Say!

Yes, you read that correctly.  There are multiple types of play! Something I never realized until stepping foot into my classroom.  There is “free play” and “intentional play”.  Some other types of wording you may see or hear for intentional play – purposeful play, guided play, deliberate play.

Free Play

Free play is exactly what it sounds like. The play is all child-led. Children decide what they want to play, how long to play it for, and how to play it.  Rules change, decisions change.  It feels chaotic, but it's controlled chaos and highly important.  Through this type of play, children are using their imagination to practice making decisions, problem-solving, taking risks all while building independence and confidence.  Embrace the chaos and see where the free play takes you!

Example of free play: Exploring with dot paints on paper.

 Types of Free Play 

• Building with blocks

• Riding bikes, scooters

• Playing dress up

• Painting, coloring, drawing without a plan

• Pretend-play (kitchen, grocery store)

• Playing, digging in sand

**Just some examples are listed above.

Intentional Play

Intentional play, a meaningful type of play that has a plan or end goal.  This type of play is adult-led.  With the goal in mind, the adult chooses the type of activity that will lead the play.  Goals can include: social-emotional, fine and gross motor, or academic.  Through this type of play, the adult is guiding the child towards the goal.  Although we as adults know that the intention is for the child to learn or practice something, the child may not realize it because it’s fun! 

Example of intentional-play: My 3-year-old playing Don't Wake Daddy for counting practice.

Types of Intentional Play:

• Counting games (toys or snacks)

• Scavenger hunts (number, letter, word recognition)

• Board, card, or memory games

• Sensory tubes (sand, water, rice)

**Just some types of intentional play were listed.

Now the Big Question: More Free or Intentional Play?

Which play should your child have more of?  The answer may be surprising, but it is BOTH! A balance of both free and intentional play benefits children in similar and different ways. While both are providing opportunities to learn, here are specific benefits to each:

• Free Play Benefits – Encourages child autonomy or having choice.  Enhances a child’s imagination through their own thinking.  Supports application of social skills such as taking-turns, sharing, and builds independence through confidence and problem-solving.  

• Intentional Play Benefits – Supports child-specific goals such as academic, social, emotional, or fine and gross motor.  Guided phrases to help reach the specific goal from an adult.  Providing step-by-step direction or a plan to help achieve a goal.  

But how much time for each?!

Truly, there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to exact time because of age, stamina, and interests.  You will create your “balance”.  A good starting point is to think about how much time your child can independently play with a preferred and then a non-preferred activity.  Independently play without you interfering.  Unsure, grab a timer and as soon as your child begins to independently play, set that timer.  Once they break THEIR OWN concentration, press stop.  The reason I said both preferred and non-preferred is because there will be times your child may not be into the intentional-play activity and that’s okay.  Start slow and build stamina.  Use the time collected from above for an intentional play activity.  You want to factor in timing to explain the directions and your child independently playing/practicing the skill, while you guide.  Build on from there.  

Keep in mind BOTH types of play have benefits with learning.  Regardless of the play, your child IS learning! Remember to be flexible with yourself and your little one.  Some days will have more free play and other days might have more intentional play!

Tips, Tricks & Suggested Strategies!

• First and foremost, as mentioned above, be flexible with yourself and your little one! 

• If you feel that free play feels chaotic, use these quick questions/prompts for intentional play:

  • Building towers--How many did you use? Can you build a taller one? Let's get some toys and measure! Let’s do a challenge, build me a tower with 4 red and 3 green…

  • Grab a deck of cards and use it as a number matching game (ACE=1 and take out face cards).  Number matching games can include: flipping the cards over to find the matches; flip a card over and place that number of toys next to it; flip a card over, say the number, and count up to that number and back down to 0

  • Call for a “reset” – find a book to read with your child

  • Grab a bin of toys and play a sorting game (color, shape, size)

• If you are just starting to incorporate intentional play activities, start with one activity.  Do not overwhelm yourself or your child. Aim for 1-2 a week.  

• Going out to the grocery store? Intentional “play” learning can happen right there! Pick and count apples to place in the bag.  

• Going out for a walk – Ask these two questions “What do you notice?” “What do you wonder?”  Build off the conversation from there. 

Comment and share below tips, tricks, or strategies you use!