New Jersey Family May 2020

Page 46

Raising Smarties

Play FREE

ow that kids across the country are being homeschooled, the concept of “free play” has taken on new meaning. Our kids are around us all the time, but with remote learning, chores and Zoom playdates, the idea of just letting kids be kids can easily get lost. During this unique time, it’s actually more important than ever to just let your kids loose without the structure of organized activities.

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By Ronnie Koenig

A study from the University of Colorado Boulder revealed that less structured free play resulted in higher levels of executive function which refers to the ability to organize, plan, self-regulate and initiate tasks—all vital characteristics for academic success.

WHAT IS FREE PLAY? Free play is a concept that’s hard for many parents to wrap their minds around. With homeschooling, parents are more

NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2020

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Why unstructured time should be part of your homeschool curriculum.


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