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Do you dictate children's free time?
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Since we’re on the topic of Raising Godly Tomatoes and planning the next year it’s made me wonder how you get your children into habits of particular play. We get plenty of outdoor play…maybe too much. I would love for them to have play where they are building legos, puzzles, etc. Maybe they are too young (6, 5, 2) and really just need the runaround play. When your schedule shows “free time” does that truly mean “anything goes” or do they have items to choose from?
Thanks.
I suppose it means anything goes, at least within their usual repertoire of choices. Screen time is limited around here and there might be times I say things like “you can’t paint” because I can’t handle the mess right then. I don’t think you can have too much outdoor time, esp. with little ones. I would let them have at it.
Nebby
I would let them have the runaround time. If you want them to have the quieter type activities like puzzles, drawing, legos, etc. perhaps you could “schedule” those to do while you listen to audiobooks or music. 😉
It’s not free time if you tell them what to do. That would be “directed time.”
Now, screen limits are one thing. That’s just saying something they CAN do. But all children need time to BE and not be told what to do. Free time basically means run around time in our house. The only restrictions I give are things like if my older daughter wants to work on something that my youngest will shred to pieces, then she needs to wait until he’s napping. Or because I don’t have a fenced yard, going outside happens when we’re all able to go outside. We don’t do TV or computers for the kids, but I don’t direct them either on things to do. My daughter really likes to work on specific projects though, so she’ll often ask me for ideas, or appreciate something “planned” for free time.
I was wondering if my dc would benefit from some “planned” free time as well. But then I guess I should just schedule it in our school day like Sheraz mentioned. Otherwise, how do you learn your child’s interests if they never want to explore those things? Or maybe that’s when the age/maturity thing comes into play. I listen to so many of you say “my child loves to draw, my child loves to build legos, etc” and it had to start somewhere. My children love to run, run, run. Do you follow where I’m coming from and where I’m trying to lead them to explore other play things?
We have different times. My boys thrive on schedules. If they are just “free” all day I would/will go crazy. But if I say today we are going to have a block of free time, then some table time and then some blanket time. They know free time means do what they want, table time means something they can sit and do at the table, and blanket means on a blanket in the living room alone no talking.
Every family is different you just have to figure out what works with your kids!
I think that is one of the reasons I allow those kinds of things while we read literature. Plus it helps mine to hear the story if their hands are busy. Another thing I started was creative art experiences so that they could experiment with different mediums and looks. That was one way I could introduce something without being ignored. I posted about the book we are using now here: http://mysouldothdelight.wordpress.com/2013/02/09/starry-night/
I know that interest is built with our legos and blocks when I let them use the people figurines and our animals. Then they are all over making houses and habitats – once they start that, it isn’t long before we start thinking of other things too.
Free time in our house is completely free. The only thing I don’t allow is tv; they watch enough w/ Dad in the evenings. I may allow computer time, but not if they argue over it. My dc are older than yours, but they like Legos, drawing, maybe looking through some books, outdoor time, whatever. Oh, and if they want to do something that requires me to help them then they usually have to find something else to do. I consider that time my free time as well (but they are much older than yours, so I guess I can do that), so I can work on things I need to. Hope that doesn’t sound like I’m ignoring them, cause I’m not, but I need “free time” too!
We do like Misty and have certain times of day. At table time they do table activities (coloring, drawing, legos, puzzles). For roomtime DS5 can pick one thing from his closet to play with, or of course he could read. Outside stuff is pretty free, except when we do nature study. DS5 and DD3 do a lot of pretending when they play outside. I have found that too much freedom leads to becoming “wise in their own eyes” and forgetting that I am the mommy and I am in charge. As they grow, I allow them to make more and more decisions of how to spend their time when they show they can handle it.
Our open bookshelves have books, puzzles, games, legos, blocks and lincoln logs readily available so it makes it more likely for them to choose these to play with in free time. Sometimes I direct them to something if they don’t know what to do or are tending to cause trouble with their freedom. I am new to Tomato Staking, so no advice there.
Now, screen limits are one thing. That’s just saying something they CAN do. But all children need time to BE and not be told what to do. 
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