Children are naturally curious and possess an innate desire to explore and learn. This curiosity is one of the most remarkable qualities of childhood. As educators, it’s our job to tap into that curiosity, nurture it, and guide children toward developing a lifelong love for learning. When we foster this curiosity, we’re not just helping children gain knowledge—they’re developing critical thinking skills, learning how to ask questions, and building a foundation for problem-solving that will serve them well throughout their lives. Unstructured play, also known as free play, can be defined as child-led play. When children engage in unstructured play, their play is motivated by their own desires and curiosity, and guided by their own rules, is something that they willingly engage in, deciding for themselves when to start and when to stop.
Unstructured Play has to be an integral part of the daily routine of a child’s learning journey. For teachers, free play helps with observation of their learners’ social, communication, self management skills. Helps teachers with ideas to bring exploration, play, and inquiry into teaching practices, creating classrooms that are full of energy, learning, and growth. One of our core focuses at The School Of Raya being an IB school is inquiry-based learning. Inquiry is about encouraging children to take an active role in their learning. Instead of just receiving information, they get to ask questions, think critically, and explore new ideas. The inquiry process for teaching involves learning how to design lessons that are both engaging and meaningful for young learners. Discover ways to help learners become more independent, as they’re guided to find answers through exploration and problem-solving. This approach doesn’t just teach kids facts—it helps them develop the skills to become lifelong learners. Educators will also explore how to create a classroom environment where inquiry thrives—where learners feel empowered to question, explore, and discover in their own way.
Play has a vital role in a child's development. Play isn’t just fun—it’s an essential part of how children grow cognitively, physically, and emotionally. Through play, children experiment with new ideas, solve problems, and learn how to interact with others. It’s also a great way to introduce and reinforce academic concepts.Unstructured Play enables us to discover how play can become a powerful tool to support learning, helping children to engage with curriculum topics in a way that’s natural and exciting. Play offers a safe space for children to experiment, make mistakes, and try new things without the fear of failure. At Raya, Free Play strategies are integrated into our classrooms, creating opportunities for children to engage with ideas and concepts in a fun, hands-on way.
Understanding different stages of Play is crucial to designing activities that match children’s developmental levels and help them grow. We have designed play areas that are not only stimulating but also encourage children to explore and engage with new concepts. The playplan designed during the planning stage of a Unit Of Inquiry in early years, integrates skills a learner will pick up with unstructured play, and structured play offering children a balanced and rich learning experience. This combination will allow children to learn through both structured and spontaneous activities, which will foster creativity and deeper understanding.
Providing regular time in the timetable for free/unstructured play is mandatory in early/primary years programme and is all about creating classrooms where children’s natural curiosity can thrive. It will be giving children the best possible foundation for their development, both academically and personally. When teachers come up with fresh ideas and the confidence to apply these strategies in a classroom they will be able to create environments that are not only educational but also exciting and inspiring for learners. Ultimately, it's about making sure every child has the chance to explore, learn, and develop their full potential, one playful discovery at a time.