The return to school usually generates different emotions in our students, expectations appear about the school year and about seeing their classmates again, but also uncertainty and anxiety about reconnecting and being able to make up for the time they have not seen each other. Therefore, in this note we shall address how to implement moments of play and welcome that help them to feel good and learn better.
Moments to reconnect with each other and with your school
The moments of free play can be used by teachers as a reconnection strategy, as they facilitate a more natural and pleasant approach among peers. We must take into account that it is necessary to respond to the various play needs of the students. For some children and adolescents, there will be a greater need for physical play with much movement, while others will opt for quieter and more symbolic games, and some will opt perhaps to talk.
Recommendations for creating moments of free play
The moments of free play also require planning and constant close accompaniment by teachers. Different games and dynamics can be included in the programming of learning experiences.
For example, creating a song or inventing a story with the little ones, assembling structures with different types of materials with the older ones, or making a joint video with the teenagers, can facilitate the development of all these integration skills.
Do not hesitate to ask your students about their interests and proposals for these moments, and remember that it is ideal to keep them throughout the year.
The importance of moments of free play
The benefits of these free moments in the learning and development of socioemotional skills of our students are various. Here are 3 of them:
- They allow students to enter calmly the learning process, facilitating the release of emotions to be able to focus little by little on learning.
- The play and the free moments facilitate releasing energy and resuming routines that help them to reposition themselves in the school space, since they are channels for the expression of their feelings.
- They make it easier for teachers to observe the spontaneous development of their students, identify their reactions, get to know them better, as well as recognize their motivations and needs.
Remember that, for the implementation of these spaces, accompaniment by the teachers, being present and supervising the interactions and play moments, are fundamental to prevent bullyingand violence.
If you want to learn more about how to implement the moments of free play and encounters in your school, we invite you to see the full chapter here: Moments of free play and encounters among students – C1
