The Importance of Free Play

January 17, 2023

Dear Maria,

There’s a lot of talk these days about the benefits of free play. But can we justify spending school time on free play instead of academics?

Sincerely,

Concerned

Dear Concerned,

If you look at nature, play is everywhere. All animals play, especially when they’re young. A fundamental biological insight is that if an activity is widespread and universal, you can be sure that it serves an important function.

Play creates great opportunities for learning social skills, observing verbal and nonverbal cues, and developing gross and fine motor skills. Play feels inherently meaningful, it gives you a sense of agency and belonging, relieves stress, and, of course, it’s fun. As play researcher Stuart Brown writes: “Here are just a few of its benefits, these now being more and more objectively solidified by reputable scientific research: trust, mutual attunement, empathy, resilience, adaptability, innovation, creativity, optimism, communal belonging, immune system benefits, sustained intrinsic motivation and the persistent desire to acquire mastery, and more.”

We adults would be hard pressed to come up with activities that pay such diverse dividends, and sometimes our responsibility is just to make room for such play. Play is an activity where you’re free to quit or keep playing, and an activity children choose on their own. These conditions are important to create the opportunities mentioned above. Play organized by adults can also be useful for some kinds of learning, but it would rarely be as valuable and meaningful for children.

The need for play is not something just young children have. The games change, but older children still find play meaningful and stimulating, and often a profound relief from stress. Combine play and time outdoors and you’ll have the best way of resetting both mind and body.

Here are three articles to read more about play:

https://hechingerreport.org/play-is-crucial-for-middle-schoolers-too/

https://www.playcore.com/news/rough-and-tumble-play-is-it-necessary-part-2

https://hechingerreport.org/want-resilient-and-well-adjusted-kids-let-them-play/

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Music, Drama and Dance in the Montessori Classroom

January 13, 2025

Dear Maria, Winterfest is coming up. What place do music, drama, and dance have in the Montessori classroom? Sincerely, Curious

What are Going Outs?

September 18, 2024

Dear Maria, What are “Going Outs”? How do they help our children learn? Can I help? Sincerely, Cascadia parent Dear Cascadia parent, Going Outs are a key piece of the Montessori elementary experience. A Going Out is a child-led outing from the classroom and can take various forms. Children might go on an errand for the class community or for supplies for a special project (cooking, baking, arts & crafts, special experiment, etc.). They might go and see something in-person that they’ve been researching in class. Going to see a native animal or plant in its natural ecosystem, visiting the zoo to observe an animal, picking up books at the public library or visiting an expert to talk more about a topic or see a special demonstration might all be research-related going outs. The possibilities are endless and limited only to the child’s imagination…and to practicalities, because a vital part of Going Outs is that the children organize everything themselves! They’re responsible for organizing chaperones, transportation, necessary things to bring along, and getting an appointment or tickets if necessary. Going Outs are a huge part of how Elementary children learn about the world and practice independence! Many skills are involved in planning a Going Out, including map reading, learning about money, distance, time management, organizing a group, preparing practical items (using forethought to prepare for weather or unexpected events), and much more! Of course with the youngest children, your child’s guide and assistant will give lessons on Going Outs or assist them with planning their first trips. Young children might be invited to go along with an older and more experienced child and learn the process that way. Guides have established Going Out procedures to aid children in taking on this responsibility for themselves. (Part of these procedures involve notifying Susan in the office and parents & guardians about the going out date, time, and location, so don’t be worried about your child leaving campus without your knowledge.)