Free Play in Early Childhood, published last week by Play England, is a compilation of recent research studies and theoretical work on play, given from different professional perspectives, types of early years provision and theoretical standpoints.
Issy Cole-Hamilton, policy and research manager at Play England, who commissioned the review, said, 'This research shows how important it is just to let children play. People who work with children understand this, but the culture of targets and testing can make practitioners want to give children more structured activities, so that the practitioner can feel more in control.
'The research also highlighted that if you let children play and don't interrupt them, the details and complexity of their play grows. Children get more involved, play together and develop complicated ideas.'
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