Free Play For Bonding in Kindergarten
- by Anita K., PreK and Kindergarten Teacher
Playing is not just about having fun – it’s about learning too!
In my mixed-age group PreK-K classroom, I recently used free play as a bonding activity between new and older students. This year, five new children joined my class. On their first day of school, they were shy and quiet. Some of my older children tried to help make the younger children comfortable. Seeing them uncomfortable, I decided not to do anything academic that day. Instead, I kept the entire day unstructured, so they could explore the classroom, do whatever they felt like doing, and connect with each other and me.
From left to right: New student Tenzin D., new student Lham C., and Dhasel.
We introduced ourselves during the opening circle time, and I shared the classroom rules with the group. I said: “Ok, today we will do whatever we want to do in the class. You can draw, play, build things out of Lego, work on puzzles or do anything that you may want to do.”
A new girl, Lham C., look very confused. I asked her: ”what do you like to do?” She looked even more confused. That’s when an older child, Dhasel, jumped in and started giving her options by pointing to all the toys and games in our play corner. Lham C. was still unsure. I looked at the other four new children and asked them: “what would you guys like to do in the class today?”
One boy, Karma T. smiled and said, “I would like to play with those toys,” pointing to the box. I said: “Go ahead and enjoy!” Tenzin J. helped him, and they started to take out all the toys while talking and smiling. Seeing that, Tashi D. said, “I want that,” pointing to the puzzle box. Yusel, an older child, immediately took it out and said, “Come, I will show you how you can play with this.”
Dhasel took Tenzin Y. with her and showed her favorite toy, a small alphabet mat. She told her how they could create different words out of it, and together they started building words. Tenzin D. was not even looking at me or talking to anyone in the class. So, I asked the children: “which family house is she in?” Losel said, “Mine.” So, I asked him, “does she talk to you or anyone else in the house?” He said, “No.” But then Dhasel chimed in, “Yes, she talks to me, all the older brothers, and Amala (housemother). She doesn’t talk to older sisters.” Then I asked Dhasel if she could also help Tenzin D. Dhasel gladly took her hand and start telling her in a very polite manner: “You need to talk. These are our friends, and she is our teacher. If you don’t talk, then how will you play with us?”
““You need to talk. These are our friends, and she is our teacher. If you don’t talk, then how will you play with us?” ”
Lham C. was still standing beside me, smiling and hiding her face. By the way, she smiles all the time. I asked her: “Who is your housemate here?” She pointed to T. Dreker, who was just sitting there and smiling. I asked T. Dreker, “Can you help Lham C. understand all the things she can do today?” Lumto T. jumped in and said, “I can do it.” So, she and T. Dreker started to show Lham C. all of their favorite toys and tell her what they enjoy doing during free play time in class.
While trying to make the five children comfortable in class, I forgot I had another new child. She is the youngest in class this year. I forgot because she had joined a few days before these five children and had already settled in. She is quiet and very independent. I looked around and saw that she was already busy setting up her little house in the corner. I thought I would go and check in on her, but she was so engaged in singing and playing that I decided not to disturb her.
“Seeing all of my older children being so kind, helpful, and responsible towards their new friends made me feel so proud of them.”
I let the children play for an hour to just settle in and open up with each other. Free play was the best bonding strategy! By the end of the hour, they were all friends, and everything was normal as if there are no new children in my class.
I sat observing and listening to the children’s conversations all this time. Older students explained to the younger ones how they need to ask before touching anything in the class that is not theirs; they have to put back a toy or material they have been playing with before moving on to the next toy. They asked the new children to handle toy boxes carefully, so they do not damage them.
Dhasel was the kindest and most polite while sharing her toys with them. Losel is usually quiet and does his own thing, but today he was very active in helping the new children. Earlier, everyone had to remind Dhekyong to keep things back, play one game at a time, and not disturb others, but today he was the one who was helping the new students.
Karma T. (left) and Dhekyong. Dhekyong usually has to be reminded to play one game at a time, but today he helped the new children.
When children recite nursery rhymes, they work on language development skills. They build important gross motor and hand-eye coordination skills when they toss a ball up in the air and catch it on the way down. Children experience and learn about their world through play—they explore their physical environment, express their emotions, and build their vocabulary through playful actions. Play is important for children’s cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development, imagination, and creativity.
Free play is about giving children complete freedom to play however they want. They can choose anything—their own play materials and interest areas. Every child has a unique way of expressing themselves and their creativity. One child might want to draw, and another may want to play with a puzzle. Sometimes it’s good for children to play independently because they can be more creative when playing alone. When a child is playing independently, they are engaging their imagination.
Free play is also important for learning problem-solving skills and communication skills. It helps children learn to solve problems or come up with solutions on their own or by talking to their friends while playing. It can help them express their way of thinking. Free play allows children to explore their world in their own way, at their own pace, while helping foster creativity and use their imagination.
Seeing all of my older children being so kind, helpful, and responsible towards their new friends made me feel so proud of them. At such a young age, they had learned to be there for someone when someone needed them. They could be so kind as to take responsibility for making someone comfortable at all costs. Seeing the day unfold, I felt I did a good job with them last year!