tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post5024809814420894388..comments2024-03-27T15:31:02.717-04:00Comments on Art For Little Hands: F is for Free PlayLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-59826732367094501292012-01-27T07:04:30.228-05:002012-01-27T07:04:30.228-05:00Hi, I've been readin a lot about the benefits ...Hi, I've been readin a lot about the benefits of free play but what happens when I set aside time for that and all my boy does was to sit in his favourite arm chair, hug a few favourite toys and do nothing. He could sit in his chair for over an hour... Is that healthy?Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-102009450230881492011-09-12T00:46:56.845-04:002011-09-12T00:46:56.845-04:00I love this post. Seriously, free play is great. M...I love this post. Seriously, free play is great. My kids could do it all day if they could just get along :). I hope I haven't stressed out Lou by having her in 2 things, but they were both her choice and she loves them.Brookehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08087496619431277604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-69620321507706156272011-09-03T10:41:12.627-04:002011-09-03T10:41:12.627-04:00Brenda, I don't have your email or anywhere to...Brenda, I don't have your email or anywhere to know who you are to respond. Please email me at art4littlehands@gmail.com to talk about re-pinting this.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-80335533298903000812011-09-03T08:45:54.942-04:002011-09-03T08:45:54.942-04:00We LOVE free play too. Your children are being giv...We LOVE free play too. Your children are being given the greatest start in life. After all ... what's the hurry!<br />Donna :) :)Play for Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08475920387209134195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-85117824625993578072011-09-03T06:47:39.651-04:002011-09-03T06:47:39.651-04:00I feel this post is so important, I'd like to ...I feel this post is so important, I'd like to share it with every family in my school of 150 students! Your photos beautifully illustrate the advantages of free play. Would you mind being re-printed?brendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17989059977819016063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-61695664970203106352011-09-02T21:50:40.898-04:002011-09-02T21:50:40.898-04:00Um . this is definitely a two part answer, when my...Um . this is definitely a two part answer, when my children were younger free play is what we did, we didn't name it as such, but children were expected to play, not watch TV all the time. When we went to the beach which was several times a week, we turned them loose, they explored their world, we were often there from early morning to sundown. It gave them time to climb the rocks, dig in the sand build a fort with seaweed, driftwood and surfboards. Our house was uncontaminated by things such as flashcards for preschoolers. Children learn best when they play, reading was encouraged by reading to them and pointing out letters and words in their environment. Everyone of our children could read when they started kindergarten, despite the fact that we didn't do any formal indoctrination with flashcards and hooked on phonics and such. As for organized sports we played them, even my husband and I played adult softball until recently, but none of our children were signed up for anything before they were five or six, depending on the child.<br />As for the preschool program I run we still use the play model, no work sheets will cross the threshold while I'm in charge. We work on letter recognition through puzzles and painting and conversation with the children. And the children choose what they would like to play, everyone is encouraged to the craft or art of the day, but no one is made to do it.mumsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01863127117873737589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-34751166975191740592011-09-02T21:33:42.693-04:002011-09-02T21:33:42.693-04:00So much of the time in my classroom is simply play...So much of the time in my classroom is simply play - the 'trick' to good teaching is to make every moment fun and feel like play! Love your post!LeeanneAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17031575012297843192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-58810102126178435942011-09-02T08:39:30.066-04:002011-09-02T08:39:30.066-04:00Well put! My own children have been involved in sp...Well put! My own children have been involved in sport for many years, but never too much & only what they want to do. The trouble is now getting the teenager to do anything at all. hahaGreghttp://malesinearlychildhood.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-24540413047566472702011-09-02T07:04:32.168-04:002011-09-02T07:04:32.168-04:00Spot on! Time to 'just be'... so, so impor...Spot on! Time to 'just be'... so, so important! You are right, never feel guilty about allowing your children an abundance of free time to observe, explore and interact with their environment... to engage in free thinking imaginative play. You are giving your child exactly what they need! Say 'no' to the 'hurried child' syndrome! A great post with pictures that speak a thousand words! :)KAREN GREENhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08773841233539637542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-2906806894057463882011-09-01T21:20:31.366-04:002011-09-01T21:20:31.366-04:00Wonderful post! I agree kids are too over schedul...Wonderful post! I agree kids are too over scheduled! I let my 5 year old be in one activity at a time and that is how it will be for a while. I've met parents that totally over schedule their kids and it is upsetting to me! One parent said that her kids can't ride their bikes because we are never home to practice!! I've heard of younger adults in the workforce that are unable to do things without instruction because they are so use to being told what to do because they have never had free time to do things without instruction!!!<br />I hope more parents will realize the importance of free play because of posts like yours!! Thanks!Melissa @ The Chocolate Muffin Treehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03188770507092063326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-49853806564494210612011-09-01T09:05:10.617-04:002011-09-01T09:05:10.617-04:00Well said and backed up with super photos. Free pl...Well said and backed up with super photos. Free play is so under-rated. Thanks for flagging up this issue.Juliet Robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07035975039896986525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-36003823798912546482011-09-01T07:21:16.183-04:002011-09-01T07:21:16.183-04:00I'm a free play all the way girl myself :)I'm a free play all the way girl myself :)jenny @ let the children playhttp://progressiveearlychildhoodeducation.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-82438716357070857702011-08-31T20:33:35.820-04:002011-08-31T20:33:35.820-04:00Exactly why I'm starting a preschool! Too muc...Exactly why I'm starting a preschool! Too much of that being left out of the school systems. children are becoming unfamiliar with their own imaginations...very sad. I love this post Laura...keep it up, you're an inspiration!lisa.j.phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10971702893438465084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-71905176843307627612011-08-31T17:26:49.916-04:002011-08-31T17:26:49.916-04:00What a wonderful post to add to our ABC's! Tha...What a wonderful post to add to our ABC's! Thank you for sharing your link with us!Deborahhttp://www.teachpreschool.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-78921237391548303002011-08-31T17:09:25.376-04:002011-08-31T17:09:25.376-04:00Congratulations on the Parents Magazine rating. I ...Congratulations on the Parents Magazine rating. I love your blog!<br /><br />Just curious what part of Western PA you are in? My family is from Greensburg (Westmoreland Co.) from way, way back. Like from 1780!Wendy Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17640109945361138055noreply@blogger.com