Free Play (Intro)
Grades 6-8
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Session Name
Own Your Play
Age Group
Ages 12-14
Session Intention
Children independently decide what to play, with whom, and how, taking full ownership of free play.
Materials Needed
Free Play Kit
Classroom Arrangement
1. This session can happen in an open space like a hall or ground in the school
2. Leave the kit in its boxes. Children set up the space themselves.
3. Children organise their own groups of 4-6 and decide where to play.
4. You stay out of the setup, this is theirs to run.
1/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Opening Procedure (5-7 minutes)
PEP-UP: Human Knot (5 min)
1. Groups of 6 to 10 stand in circle.
2. Position A: Everyone hold hands of people on either side of then.
3. Position B: Everyone crosses their hands and hold hands of people on either side of them.
4. As a group, they must untangle and return to Position A without releasing hands.
5. Make the groups compete by getting them to untangle as fast as possible.
FREE PLAY NORMS (1 min)
1. Share the games.
2. Wait for your turn.
3. Be kind to each other.
4. Do not break the materials.
5. Pack everything properly when done.
6. Add: These rules stay the same even when no teacher or facilitator is watching.
More Pep-up Options
2/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Play Time (~25-28 minutes)
START PLAY:
1. Children begin without direction.
2. If someone looks at you, give a simple nod and ask them to decide how they want to play.
DURING PLAY:
1. Watch for who steps up to organise, who withdraws, who creates, who mediates.
2. If you must speak, ask open questions such as, What are you trying to do? or How is it going?
Never suggest a specific activity.
STEP IN WHEN NEEDED:
1. Intervene only for conflict children cannot resolve themselves, or for safety.
2. If play stops for 3+ minutes, ask - What does everyone want to try, take suggestions and step back again.
3. Note what children choose - it tells you a lot about what to plan next.
What You May Notice
1. Some groups will dive in confidently. Others will spend time deciding. Both are valid.
2. Conversation and negotiation about what to play IS a form of play.
3. Long silences at the start are expected. Do not rescue children from the discomfort of choosing.
3/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Closing (~3-5 minutes)
1. Give a two minute warning. Let children wind down on their own.
2. Gather and ask - What worked well today? What would you change?
3. Take answers without judging.
4. End with a pack up together.
Try Next Time
1. Let one child lead the closing circle and get them to ensure pack up happens properly.
2. Challenge the children to try using materials in a way they have never tried before.