Children’s play activity can take form as structured or unstructured play, with both equally vital to support a child’s development, growth and exploration or learning of the world.
When it comes to supporting neurodiverse children through learning oppportunities, unstructured play has been shown to have just as many benefits as structured play and even therapy based supports.
The A List have put together this resource to explore the benefits of unstructured play
- The Hidden Benefits
- What does this look like?
- Reducing Stress and Anxiety
- Confidence and self-esteem
The Hidden Benefits
An important part of many Autistic people’s lives is therapy, particularly for our kids and teens. And while this is necessary and can add immense value, I want to highlight the benefits of unleashing the power of unstructured play without pre-defined rules and agendas.
A recent poll by the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne investigated play in Australia and produced a report titled, Australian Families: How We Play. The report identified that: “Play is critical to a child’s learning and development. Play is the strongest learning mode throughout early childhood, enhances learning at all ages, and is a powerful force in family and social cohesion. It supports children’s physical, cognitive and social development, teaching them to develop and use language effectively, and solve problems collaboratively and independently. Play satisfies a basic human need to express imagination, curiosity and creativity.”
Interestingly, the poll delved into free play, revealing more than half of parents (56%) said their child needed to spend more time in free and unstructured play.
What appears on the outside to be ‘unstructured’ is quite the opposite. We are seeing the very real benefits of unstructured play, evident in the friendships that are forming, the self-discovery taking place and the growth in confidence and self-esteem of our Social Hub members. People are achieving goals, naturally and rapidly in ways that therapy does not allow for, by connecting with other neurodivergent youth.
Most of all, unstructured play reduces the anxiety some Autistic people associate with structured activities, as they often come with specific agendas attached. Unstructured time is free from judgement and external expectations, allowing a sense of relief and freedom – even if only for a couple of hours each week.
Confidence and self-esteem
We know Autistic individuals often exhibit strengths in particular areas and unstructured time allows them to focus on these strengths and abilities. This leads to moments of accomplishment and success, increasing feelings of self-competence.
In addition to developing innate strengths and abilities, unstructured play allows Autistic youth to explore their own personal interests and hobbies, helping to reinforce a sense of identity. The deep engagement that we witness when an Autistic child or teenager is absorbed in something they truly enjoy, is beneficial for concentration and sustained focus.
And importantly, unstructured play can provide a safe space for Autistic individuals to share honest thoughts, feelings and perspectives in a way that might not be achievable in other settings that rely heavily on neuro-typical communication methods.
Social interactions
Purposely forgoing structured activity enables like-minded social connections to form. Many parents who have kids and teens attending have initial concerns about “parallel play” or what seems like a lack of engagement. When we allow them to be, we find they will naturally connect in a very short space of time. When we can let go of what “we know a social interaction to look like” we find that friendships can form in real and unique ways.
There is an authenticity in relationships that comes when barriers to connection are removed.
But unstructured doesn’t mean unproductive.
In fact, young people are rapidly developing social skills by having the freedom to converse with others in a non-pressured environment. Activities and shared interests are becoming conversation starters and we are seeing self-advocacy taking place as confidence grows.
