“Real play is not a particular activity: it is a state of mind, in which all sorts of activities are done, such as playing with sand and water, painting, skipping, climbing, chasing, role play, juggling, and hiding games. It involves all the senses and being physically active.”
Real Play is:
It is self- initiated and self- motivated: Real play is freely chosen. If children are forced to play, they may not feel in a state of play at all.
It is creative: Children engage in make- believe that bends reality to accommodate their interests and imagination.
It is active: Real play engages children physically as well as mentally. It has negotiated rules: The rules of play come from the child, including entry to and from the game and what counts as acceptable behavior within it.
It has negotiated rules: The rules of play come from the child, including entry to and from the game and what counts as acceptable
-Sahlberg, Pasi., and William Doyle. Let the Children Play : How More Play Will Save Our Schools and Help Children Thrive