Free play isn’t the time when teachers stop teaching

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Free play isn’t the time when teachers stop teaching. It’s the time when we teach differently. Instead of directing the play, we observe. We notice what children are working on, what stories are beginning to emerge, what skills they’re developing, and where they might need support. Sometimes we extend the play. Sometimes we scaffold a skill. Sometimes we adjust the environment. And sometimes, the best thing we can do is slow down and get out of the way. When we truly believe that learning happens during play, we also have to rethink what our role is during that play. Save this for the next time you find yourself wondering, “What should I be doing while they play?”