Places, toys and activities observed in the course of children’s free play in preschool

Abstract

The article presents results of 38 observation sessions of 10 groups of children aged 3 to 6 years during the time dedicated to play. The aim of the research was to determine the material and emotional conditions for free play depending on the time of day. The results of the observation showed that preschool-aged children play in different places of the preschool classroom, engage mostly in construction and theme play. They use many more toys in their play in the morning and before noon than they do in the afternoon. Play activity is especially intensive in the morning in comparison to the afternoon.