A common question I hear from new teachers or teachers-in-training is what to do when a child wants to play all day.
I have had great conversations with Montessori educators about play, specifically in a Montessori environment. Play is sometimes taboo in Montessori circles, with folks thinking that the classroom is for working and the playground is for playing. It's a misconception that Montessori schools have no play and that Montessori stifles the imagination. This article on play in the publication of the American Montessori Society is well-written and thought-provoking. The water pizza story blew me away!
One of my goals this year has been to observe more during outside time. It has always bugged me when time outside is called "playtime" or "recess." In her writings, Dr. Montessori said that if the children need a break for activity or recess, their environment needs more meaningful work and movement. Outdoor time is valuable, as is play, and it shouldn't be viewed as a break from the day but as an integral part of their day that is just as meaningful as their work with Montessori materials in the classroom. Through experience (and a reminder from a refresher course this past weekend), I am learning that a child's connection to the social environment is more important than their connection to Montessori materials, and unstructured outdoor play can provide that connection. Anyway, I've been making a concerted effort to observe more outside, and it's been fascinating. Each day, my students get at least 45 minutes of unstructured playtime outdoors. Each week, we rotate to a new playground zone (our school is lucky with lots of varied outdoor space), so the children can play in different outdoor environments, from a more typical playground with slides and climbing domes to an open field with tree stumps.