The Evolved Nest Explained: Self - Directed Social Play by The Evolved Nest

Evolved Nest Component #5

SELF-DIRECTED SOCIAL PLAY is free social play with multiple-aged playmates.

What to do:

Try not to interfere in your child’s natural play instinct. For example, create a space where you can let baby and toddler explore on their own without interference.
Build into your child’s day several self-directed social playtimes.
Let your child be outside on his or her own.
Encourage social play with differently- aged playmates. Although adult-directed sports or other play activities might be good too, self-directed free play is different and important.

Why?

Humans are mammals. Young mammals play when they feel safe and well. People who have little self-directed social play experience tend to be more aggressive and have other behavior disorders (e.g., van den Berg et al., 1999), as well as diminished academic achievement (Barros, Silver & Stein, 2009).