Free Play (Intro)
Grades 1-2
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Session Name
Play Explorer
Age Group
Ages 6-8
Session Intention
Children choose how to play with the kit and begin to make shared rules for 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. Place the kit materials in 2-3 loose clusters in available floor or bench space.
3. No fixed stations. Children choose where to go and may form clusters of 4-6.
4. Keep one open area clear for any physical play materials.
1/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Opening Procedure (5-7 minutes)
PEP-UP: Clapping Rhythm (2-3 min)
1. You clap a rhythm.
2. Children copy.
3. Slowly make it more and more complex.
4. Let one child make a rhythm for everyone.
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. Get the children to explore, pick materials they like and start playing.
DURING PLAY:
1. Walk around and ask - What are you playing?
2. If children seem bored with a station, ask - Is there something in another spot you want to try?
3. Do not organise or structure the play. Let it be messy and self-led.
STEP IN WHEN NEEDED:
1. Conflict over a material - remind them about the sharing and turn taking rules.
2. Group getting too loud - lower your own voice. They usually follow.
3. Child sitting alone - pair them gently with one friendly child nearby.
What You May Notice
1. Some children will organise elaborate games very quickly. Others switch every 2 minutes. Both are fine.
2. Groups often form naturally around shared interests.
3. Children who are usually quiet in class sometimes come alive in free play.
3/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Closing (~3-5 minutes)
1. Give a two-minute warning. Help gather materials.
2. Ask - What was your favourite thing to play with today? Why?
3. Ask - Do you want to add a rule for next time?" Remember it.
4. Pack up together.
Try Next Time
1. Introduce one new way to play with a material each time you run this session.
2. Let children vote on which station they like.
3. Ask one child to show the group their favourite way to use a material.
4. Run the session with fewer materials to encourage deeper engagement.