It’s quite typical these days for kids to have their day, including play time, completely structured and planned out with timetables of classes and activities to follow. I have always struggled with this as I find it hard to have my girls’ day with timings for everything. Sometimes it is just better to let them be themselves and experiment on their own.
Having your kids day too structured stops them from developing their imagination. You would not believe how many wonderful things can happen after they are left alone to explore and be creative.
Most of us parents, also tend to fill our kids play time with TV, tablets and other gadgets. I have been guilty of this too, probably because of the amazing new technologies and lack of time we unfortunately have, its easy to get into the habit of allowing these devices to keep them entertained. I know it is not the best for our little ones.
I remember very clearly when I was little how things were so different. When I was about 4 years old, we used to live in the countryside not far from Lima, Peru. This place was surrounded by nature and beautiful areas to explore. I used to go out with my siblings and play for hours. Inventing games and allowing our imagination to wander! We were hardly bored. It seemed easy to create new ways of entertaining ourselves.
We should stop worrying too much when our little ones say “I’m bored” because if we let them explore new ways to entertain themselves, we know that some magical creativity can soon follow. Boredom is the precursor to creativity, innovation and specialisation. It is absolutely wonderful to let them be bored to encourage and benefit from free play!
A recent research by Play England defines free play as:
“…children choosing what they want to do, how they want to do it and when they want to stop and try something else. Free Play has no external goals set by adults and has no adult imposed curriculum. Although adults usually provide the space and resources for Free Play and might be involved, the child takes the lead and the adults respond to cues from the child.”
Giving children the freedom and space to play free is an essential part of their development, allowing them to learn about the world around them, developing essential social skills and fostering their physical and cognitive development.
That is why Petits Filous is encouraging kids to free play with their #PetitsFilousPlayFree campaign. They want to help champion free play and the benefits of it by encouraging parents to embrace it as part of their children’s day.
Embracing free unstructured play is critical for children’s development, tapping into their imagination and encouraging creative thinking. It helps their negotiation skills, teaches them cause and effect and helps with team playing. It’s essential for every child as well as fun and inspiring.
Happy Sienna enjoying some free play outdoors
To launch this campaign, Petits Filous is working with the prestigious Anita Cleare, parenting expert and co-founder of The Positive Parenting Project. She believes that Free Play is not just a nice-to-have activity but a positive priority for parents, critical for children’s development and under threat from our busy, technology-filled lives. Allowing children to Play Free allows us to celebrate the natural instinct of children to simply play, without the guilt of feeling you need to step in and help them do so.
The key feature of Free Play is that it is child-led and child-driven. That doesn’t mean that adults never join in, but that adults do not control the content or direction of Free Play. Free Play means letting kids get bored sometimes and allowing them to find their own solutions without reaching for gadgets such as tablets, smartphones or turning to the TV as a boredom filler.
The best environment for Free Play is where parents know their children are safe and where it’s ok to make a mess. Outdoor play and natural settings provide a sensory-rich environment for physical development and natural learning. Indoor pretend play fosters creativity, brain development and social skills. You can read further about how childhood pretend play builds critical skills for later years.
I would like my girls to be able to play like this and in some way bring back the way that I used to play with my siblings when I was a child! I think it is very important and we should all encourage it.
Petits Filous, the No 1 kids fromage frais brand in the UK, has been dedicated to child development in the UK for the last 30 years and now they are extending its focus from the functional benefits of its products, calcium and vitamin D for healthy bones, to the importance of Free Play for children’s development, encouraging parents and other caregivers to embrace it as a priority.
When our little ones come back from their free play, they always come back very hungry and the first thing they want is a snack. So, we as parents should have some healthy snacks at home to help with these moments. What better than a super healthy Petit Filous fromage frais to offer to our little ones? Or what about their pouches? Petits Filous pouches are a snack that can be kept out of the fridge for five hours and does not need a spoon. Fantastic, right? Each serving contains 50% (x2 small pots or x1 big pot) of the daily Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs).
Calcium is essential because it gives strength to bones and teeth. Since our bodies can’t make calcium, it is important that children get enough in their diet. Petits Filous provides your child with the goodness of calcium and vitamin D, for healthy bones. An easy way to meet kids’ calcium needs is by ensuring they get 3 portions of dairy a day. For example, a glass of milk, a piece of cheddar-type cheese and one small pot of Petits Filous fromage frais provides children with their daily calcium needs.
Sunshine is the main source of Vitamin D but it can be tough for kids to get enough sun, especially during the winter months. So children also need to obtain it through their diet. Few foods naturally contain Vitamin D but luckily some foods, such as Petits Filous fromage frais, are fortified with it. A recent Change4Life campaign launched by Public Health England recommends Petits Filous, with less than 100 calories per serving, as a healthy snack for kids
Over the next few weeks, we will be implementing the Let Them Be Bored Challenge at home with the support and advice of Anita. The goal is to be able to incorporate free play every day with our girls. Let’s hope we manage to do it correctly! I will come back in a couple of weeks with another blog post sharing our thoughts and experience. Hopefully, we will be able to share even more tips and ideas on how you can do the same.
If you would like to find out more about Petits Filous latest campaign, please visit their Facebook Page.
Are you scared of hearing “I’m bored!”? Do you let your kids get bored? Do you implement Free Play at home? Do you remember playing free as a child?
*Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I’m working with Petits Filous and BritMums promoting the #PetitsFilousPlayFree campaign about the importance of free play.
Thanks for stopping by,
Love you all ❤️
Franca  💋
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Do you know, I remember when Petits Filous launched here in the UK. My mum was a French teacher, and was so excited about it! It was a lovely snack then, just as it is now. Such a good campaign.
There’s something so lovely about letting a child lead the way with play, even when you’re playing along with them. Love hearing about your childhood.
I really think limiting technology is one of the most important factors in ensuring our children’s development. Sure ipads have a place but Free Play is just unbeatable in terms of children’s happiness. Such a great campaign!
I know a few kids who have organised activities on all day and I feel quite sorry for them, it’s so important for kids to have a bit of time when they can just do whatever they fancy!
Nothing better than a good walk about outside and some good old fashioned leaf kicking!
good post 🙂
Great post, enjoyed reading
I agree with the fact that I think technology is ruining playtime. The lure is far too tempting
I love this idea! To be honest, when we’re at home it’s more rare to do structured games rather that free play. Our son has an awesome imagination and I love listening to him in this own little world with his toys. I feel incredibly proud of him when he’s playing alone, it’s such a good skill to have! #KCACOLS
Yes you are right! It is a fantastic skill to have! 🙂 x
Dexter ADORES Petit Filous and he’s just in the stage now where he’s learning how to feed himself so it gets super, super messy! Couldn’t agree more that free play is so important and I’ve always taught Dex to play independently choosing whichever toys he wants while I supervise from a distance.
#KCACOLS
I am not as good with free play as I use to be before having two. If I am honest Monkey has got far to comfortable in front of the TV. So this campaign is just what I need to remind myself of the benefits. I look forward to see how you get on with the boredom challenge, its such a great idea for a campaign and the perfect time of year to give us some motivation to get outside!
This is an excellent campaign
I agree – this is a great campaign – free play is so important for kids to help them develop independence. #KCACOLS
Our kids are so overprogrammed sometime. My little one will start the I am bored speech and wants me to entertain her. I just can not do it all the time. I find when I stand firm and tell her to find something to do after a while she will. I will check on her and she will be involved in some of the most creative play. It could be her kitchen set, or her barbies or ponies. Sometimes she just needs to be booted in the right direction. #KCACOLS
Olivia has always played like this. She has a vivid imagination and as an only child is able to entertain herself for hours just playing the way she wants to play. I agree it should be something all kids are able to have in their lives and for their whole day not to be planned and for them to have control over how they play #kcacols
I try to encourage all play in our home to be “free”. Something so amazing about watching a child learn and develop imagination + story telling.
#KCACOLS
Katelynn, hampersandhiccups.com
I have a friend who is a teachers aide who strongly believes in learning through play. She feels that kids don’t get the opportunity to use their imaginations anymore because they are constantly told what to do.
We let Snappy entertain himself a lot during the day. We actually only let him watch the tv when he’s really worked up or when my wife and I are ill. He’s always been good about playing by himself in the living room and I can’t wait to get him back in the garden now he’s walking. #kcacols
This sounds like a fabulous campaign. I do sometimes wish that my kids had the experiences of playing outside and at home on their own a bit more, but technology has taken over.
#KCACOLS
I love free play, it’s so great for kids and you really see them use their imagination. It’s amazing. This campaign sounds fab. #kcacols
I think it’s great for development for kids to have free play and fun as long as parents are close by and keeping an eye I can’t see the harm it helps for them socially and discover the world and independence
I think it’s actually really important to have a balance between structured and free play – structured play encourages rules, turn taking etc but free play allows kids to be kids and use their imagination and develop independence
I really love the idea behind this campaign. We love going to the beach as a family, and we very rarely take anything with us. I love seeing how creative my children are with just nature around them, they find shells to dig in the sand with, and sticks to draw pictures and come up with all sorts of games together, it’s brilliant to see! x #KCACOLS
Oh absolutely!! A fabulous skill to have behind you 🙂 x
Babies learn by watching and copying
Its up to parents to direct their learninp and make it fun and active
Encouraging mind AND body growth.
I’m a big believer in this and it really paid off over the past few weeks as we’ve been snowed in and I still had lots of stuff to do. I think that her being able to entertain herself for a few hours at a time was a bigger milestone than potty training! #KCACOLS
It’s good for little ones to have free play . My little grandson loves been outside a lot whatever the weather there’s always something in nature that’s entertaining .
oh my kids all loved Petits Filous as kids and now they are grown they still love them
My kids love these yoghurts. I am a real believer of free play. Its so good for the kids
I love free play, it’s so good for kids and you really see them use their imagination. It’s amazing. This campaign sounds fantastic what a great idea
What a great campaign, I think free play is so important especially for helping children develop their imagination. #KCACOLS
I think as parents its so easy to throw an activity at your child to stop them from being ‘bored’ so we can get on with things. However, I agree, free play is SO important and letting children be bored long enough to use their imagination is something we should all do more. I love this idea, great post..
What a great campaign. Free play is so important today when technology seems to have taken over our lives.
Commenting on behalf of BritMums.
Thank you Jacinta, 🙂 x