Why child-led play is key to building confident, creative kids

As the world becomes more fast-paced and performance-driven, experts across education, psychology, and child development are championing a return to something simpler yet incredibly vital for a child’s growth: child-led play. With World Children’s Day recently celebrated, a growing movement is rallying behind the idea that unstructured, child-initiated play is not just a luxury, but a necessity for cognitive, emotional, and social development.

Researchers and professionals agree that when children are given the freedom to lead their own play experiences, they unlock a world of benefits that structured activities simply cannot offer. From enhancing problem-solving skills to building self-regulation and empathy, child-led play lays the groundwork for essential life skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

Wendy Oon, Principal of MapleBear Bukit Bintang, brings over 15 years of experience in early childhood education to the conversation. She emphasises the significance of free, exploratory play in fostering a child’s innate curiosity and learning potential.

“Children don’t just learn from books or lessons; they learn from engaging with the world around them, through play.It’s through these moments of unstructured play that they develop critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence," she said.

This movement is more than just a call for more playtime; it’s a call to rethink how we support the holistic development of children. Unstructured play, free from the constraints of adult-imposed agendas, allows children to experiment, fail, and try again, all of which are fundamental to developing resilience and adaptability.

It’s clear: by prioritising child-led play, we’re not just giving children the freedom to play—we’re giving them the tools to thrive in an increasingly complex world.

“Unstructured play allows children to explore, ask questions, discover new ideas, and build strong self-confidence.

“This type of play nurtures creativity and confidence, laying the foundation for their future stories,” she said.

Oon emphasised that unstructured play promotes growth in a safe space, where children feel trusted and supported, and their ideas are welcomed with curiosity.

Aden Ren co-founder, Teoh Mei Ying highlighted the importance of unstructured toys, noting that these toys allow children to explore, imagine, and create on their terms.

“These toys significantly enhance gross and fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities, emotional regulation, social skills, and self-confidence.

“Unstructured play engages senses often overlooked, such as the vestibular sense for balance and the proprioceptive sense for body awareness, which are vital for overall well-being,” she said.

Teoh also noted that unstructured play encourages deep engagement, free choice, and limitless exploration.

Through play, he said children discover new concepts, test their abilities, and learn about the world in a holistic way.

“I see this every day with my own children,” Teoh added.

Clinical psychologist Nicole Tan, stressed the importance of autonomy in child development, especially within collectivist cultures where autonomy may be less emphasised.

She stated that research shows autonomy, when children are allowed to make choices, express preferences, and take responsibility boosts critical thinking, resilience, and self-awareness.

“In cultures that prioritise family and social harmony, practices supporting autonomy may seem disruptive.

“However, children who experience autonomy within a supportive framework that aligns with cultural values tend to feel more connected to their families and communities while building self-confidence and independence,” Tan said.

This movement highlights the significant impact of child-led play in fostering holistic development, encouraging environments where children’s natural curiosity and creativity can flourish.

Practical strategies for nurturing child-led play and supporting autonomy include several key approaches.

One is allowing children to choose their own activities during free time, providing them with opportunities to explore their natural interests and desires.

Additionally, offering access to materials that can be used in various ways and allowing room for their imagination also helps. This includes toys that are not limited to one function or art supplies that enable creativity.

It’s also essential to respect their unique play processes without setting specific goals or outcomes. In doing so, parents and educators can support independent thinking while maintaining family and community values.

“Parents can create environments where children feel safe, trusted, and valued for their individual contributions,” Tan said.

The benefits of unstructured play extend beyond early childhood, shaping resilient, adaptable individuals who are well-equipped to face future challenges.

Studies show that child-led free play supports learning, social interaction, emotional intelligence, and life skills more effectively than overly structured activities.

What can parents do at home?

To encourage child-led play and foster autonomy at home, here are three practical steps parents can implement right away.

Create a welcoming environment

Set up an area in the home where your child can freely explore, make messes, and play safely without adult intervention. Equip this space with materials that can be used creatively and imaginatively, such as blocks, balance boards, art supplies, and sensory toys.

Toys should be easily accessible and not stored in containers that require an adult to retrieve them. Open-ended toys and child-friendly furniture from Aden Ren are ideal for setting up such a space.

Allow free time outside the daily routine

Dedicate part of each day to unscheduled playtime, allowing your child to decide what and how they want to play. Avoid directing or organising their time; instead, let their creativity and interests shape the experience, trusting that they are learning about the world in the most natural way, through play!

Follow their lead & ask open-ended questions

Engage with your child by showing genuine interest in their activities without taking over. Ask questions like, “What are you building?” or “How does it work?” to encourage deeper thinking and exploration, while giving them full control over their play.

If they are deeply engaged, avoid interrupting. Instead, wait until they’re no longer “in the zone” before asking questions. This approach helps ensure your child’s growth through self-directed play.

What can educators do at school?

Educators can promote unstructured play and autonomy meaningfully by creating an environment where children are free to explore, make choices, and build confidence.

Here are a few strategies that support this goal, reflecting MapleBear’s approach to play-based learning:

Set up a “YES Space” in the classroom

Start by creating a designated safe area where children know they can explore freely without restrictions. In this space, students are encouraged to experiment, make mistakes, and express their ideas openly.

Creating a curious environment like this helps build confidence and resilience, showing children that their ideas are valued and supported.

Incorporate free play blocks into the daily schedule

Set aside specific times during the day for self-directed play using open-ended materials that inspire curiosity and creativity.

Modular play furniture and versatile toys, for instance, can turn any classroom into a dynamic learning space, empowering children to explore, create, and build their ideas without preset expectations.

Create play stations based on interests

Set up stations around the classroom with various themes and types of play, such as building, sensory exploration, or arts and crafts. Allow children to choose the stations that interest them, deciding how they want to interact with each, thus nurturing autonomy and inspiring creativity.

Encourage peer collaboration with minimal direction

Promote group play experiences where children can interact freely, fostering cooperation, negotiation, and problem-solving. Teachers can observe and only intervene if necessary, giving children the space to develop social skills like empathy, patience, and teamwork through play.

Increase open-ended questioning

Teachers can model curiosity and pose open-ended questions. This approach respects children’s autonomy while encouraging further thinking, making learning a collaborative and discovery-rich experience.

At MapleBear Bukit Bintang, this philosophy is put into practice by creating carefully designed environments that play a critical role in child development.

Teachers spend considerable time selecting materials that support and inspire each child’s journey, ensuring resources are not only engaging but also aligned with fostering self-expression, exploration, and the joy of learning.

This commitment reflects MapleBear’s dedication to honouring each child’s curiosity and natural drive to learn.

Together, we can create a world where children are empowered to learn and grow through self-directed exploration and discovery laying the foundation for a brighter, more confident, and resilient future generation.