Uninterrupted Free Play
centers
The goal behind Uninterrupted Free Play is to give children a chance to socialize, negotiate for materials and space as well as learn to take turns and express their play ideas. Children learn many social skills during this core segment and guidance is provided by educators only when the students appear to not understand one another’s needs and/or acknowledge each other. This gentle guidance is meant to positively add consideration to others, empathy and perspective which are important skills for young children to learn.
MATERIALS
The materials set out during Uninterrupted Free Play change on a daily basis and are also paired with our weekly theme, as are the core segments of our day. We use a combination of more concrete materials with more abstract items to encourage children to think flexibly and mold new ideas. The materials placed are not set out with specific instructions or a “right way” to interact with them. They are simply suggestions for play and the children are encouraged to use them in a variety of play schemas together.
Interest areas
Our classroom’s interest areas continue to stay open during Uninterrupted Free Play segments to give children who are not as interested in the materials laid out, an opportunity to play with known and familiar materials such as the block area, writing station, fine motor manipulatives area or nature science as well as dramatic play.
LESSON PLANNING
The Uninterrupted Free Play core segment is under the direction of our Directors and Head Teachers, depending on the location. This core segment is just as meticulously considered within our lesson planning and paired with the Early Learning Outcomes Framework and Core Body of Knowledge goals that inform our other core curriculum.