5. self-directed social play

SELF-DIRECTED SOCIAL PLAY is free social play with multiple-aged playmates. 

What to do:

• Try not to interfere in your child’s natural play instinct. For example, create a space where you can let baby and toddler explore on their own without interference.
• Build into your child’s day several self-directed social playtimes.
• Let your child be outside on his or her own.
• Encourage social play with differently- aged playmates. Although adult-directed sports or other play activities might be good too, self-directed free play is different and important.

Why?

Humans are mammals. Young mammals play when they feel safe and well. People who have little self-directed social play experience tend to be more aggressive and have other behavior disorders (e.g., van den Berg et al., 1999), as well as diminished academic achievement (Barros, Silver & Stein, 2009). 

BLOG SERIES ON PLAY

Discover the Evolved Nest articles on Kindred Media here.

Discover Darcia Narvaez's posts on Psychology Today here.

Social Play: A Longstanding Way To Cope

How To Play As An AdultHow To Play As An Adult

Attachment Social Play For Self-Transformation

How To Play With Your Baby

Parent Touch, Play And Support In Childhood Vital To Well-Being As An Adult

Happiness and Growth Through Play

Playing with Heart

Children May Be Playing, But Their Brains Are Working

Is Pretend Play Good For Kids?

Playing at School: More Important Than We Thought?

Does Too Much Screen Time Make Kids Sick?

Infant Couch Potatoes

What’s Better: Indoor or Outdoor Play?

Why Play with a Child?

How to Play as an Adult

Social Play: A Longstanding Way to Cope

The Benefits of Play Events in Your Community

Start a Play Club in Your School

Community Service: Teens Make Great Play Advocates

Inter-generational Games Night

Make Play Part of a Planned Community Event

“The Emperor’s New Groove,” A Movie that Teaches Ethics 

Why Close a Street to Play as a Community?

Pushing Play in the Community

How to Plan a Play Day in Your Community

How to Start a Play Committee in Your Community

The Play Lady Tells Us How to Become Play-ers

Free Range Kids

How to Encourage Free Play

Let’s Play America