They need more free play.
“Kids need structure, yes, but free play without adults telling them waht to do is one of the most underrated activities kids do anymore.
It’s how kids learn.
By nmoving, playing, & problem solving, on their own, within their environment.
Let them lose.
Watch them grow.”
-Ray Zingler on X
My son is 5 years old.
I have daughters who are 2yo & 6 months.
I don’t know everything about parenting or childhood development, but I do know a bit about physiology and how the brain works in regards to development.
While it’s a popular idea (only because we’ve done it for so long) to believe sitting them down in chairs for copious amounts of hours and having proctored information shoved at them to memorize is how to “educate” (school) them..
This isn’t the best way to learn.
The best way to learn is for kids to play, unscripted.
For them to familiarize, interact, move, and problem solve within their environments.
And, most importantly the older people within their environments.
This is why leadership by example is so critical.
Some parents have their kids prioritize physical exercise and fitness, others are taking them to McDonalds to eat “food” and play on tablets.
Without trying to come off as judgmental and strictly observational, it’s fairly easy to tell what parents prioritize in their kids’ lives.
But back to free play.
I “train” my 5-year-old son, every day.
I’ll do the same with my daughters as they get older, too.
And while there is an element of structure to the training as he is getting older (mainly so that he can understand the concept of sustained work) most of the training is “free play”.
We will often start out with some structure, and when we accomplish what needs to be done for the day (which at this age, isn’t a lot), I let him ride.
He can do whatever he wants.
Make up his own work out (his favorite).
Play on the playground.
Climb on old cars in our yard.
Build a fort.
Hide & seek.
Explore.
Whatever he wants to do he can do.
And what I’ve noticed about encouraging this instruction-less free play is that not only does it drive his natural curiosity, it drives his desire, which drives his focus and intentionality into what he is doing.
I don’t care if it’s climbing a wall or building a lego creation.
What he’s doing is he’s learning.
And when you learn, with intention and effort, you become dangerous.
Encourage free play.
It’s critically important.
