In a preschool classroom, how long should free choice time be?

Question

It seems to be a question around here about how much uninterupted free-play time should be provided in a preschool classroom. If there are any Head Start/MSRP teachers out there...what does your guidelines state and what research is behind it?

I'm very interested in the research behind your answer, thanks!

Answer 1

our free choice time is normally around 30 minutes - it includes art, sensory activities, science and math, housekeeping and transportation and blocks.

Answer 2

In our preschool we have 20min! from the time children enter the nursery which is at 9.00am till 9.20, we use to have it longer but new manger changed it.

Answer 3

45mins-1 hour bc/ it lets them play and they really get into the playing. That is what pre-school is about anyways.

They  learn so  much when they play.This especially important in housekeeping bc/ they can get into the different roles.

Answer 4

About 45 minutes. The children need time to be creative and to explore.

Answer 5

this depends on the children and their interests. free choice should be for as long as the children are engaged in a self chosen activity or exploration. just remember that all activities should on some level be child directed and not completely teacher directed cause if a child isn't into your activity you don't force them but you should modify it to what their interests are.

Answer 6

In a half day program there should be an uninterrupted block of about 45 minutes. In a full day program, one in the morning about an hour long and another shorter on in the afternoon. Remember that free play is not a matter of letting the kids run wild. A well designed free play offers a variety of choices, all designed to encourage thinking, making choices, creativity, imagination and learning. The adults' job is to facilitate the play. This means offering new materials as needed, asking good questions, helping children who are having difficulty to solve their problems and changing the environment when the children seem stuck and are not expanding their play. A good, well thought out environment and the right kinds of adult interactions make free play the most important part of the day.

Answer 7

In my state, many of our programs use the Environment Rating Scales.  They recommend that the children have free access to materials for a "substantial portion of the day".  According to their guidelines, this means the children can access the materials they choose for at least one hour in an 8 hour operating day.  If the program is open for 10 hours, the children should have free access for an hour and 15 minutes.  This doesn't have to happen in all at once - the free play time can be broken into segments, but the segments should total these amounts.  And this also means that the children should be free to choose from many activities - blocks, dramatic play, art, music, etc.

You can read more about it at this address:

http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~ecers/

Answer 8

Hello!

I am a certified teacher who has been teaching for 14 years - the last 6 within a public school that uses the High Scope Approach for the preschool and kindergarten.  I am in an Abbott, or urban district in NJ.

The children come in at 7:30am for breakfast and are given free choice with an aide from about 8:00am until 8:30am.  The certified teachers come in at 8:30am.  Circle time begins about 8:45am which is followed by small groups, then outside or gym time.  The children then do planning time followed by a one hour period of "work" time - which is a play time encouraging socialization.  After the hour, there is a recall period followed by music and movement, then lunch and nap.  After nap time - about 2:00pm the children are given a large group lesson.  From 2:30pm-3:00pm again, there is free choice.  The certified teachers leave about 3:00pm.

The children are probably given about 2 hours daily for free choice - but keep in mind that there are rules to follow during this time.  The children that are in the wrap around program (from 3:00pm-5:00pm are given math or literacy activities to do, since it is after the High Scope time.

If you have any questions, please email me!