Warns against proposals for more guided play in kindergartens

– Spontaneous play is a vitally important right that children have, says deputy chairperson Ann Mari Milo Lorentzen of the Education Association (UDF).

Just over a year ago, the government appointed an expert group to look at the importance of kindergartens, schools and after-school care for social equalisation.

The expert group proposes, among other things, to introduce “systematic play-based learning in the last year in kindergarten.” They describe it as guided play, where employees “bring play materials, props and activities that are explored together with the children”, write Education news.

It is this proposal that causes the deputy chairman of the Education Association to react strongly.

– My recommendation to the government is to put this entire report in a drawer. Spontaneous play is a vital right children have. In today’s thoroughly regulated childhood, there is already a great lack of breathing space and free activities, she says in a press release.

And UDF is not alone in reacting, writes Uddanningsnytt. The consultation deadline expired on Monday, and among the responses there are several critical voices. Among others, Oslo Met writes that they do not support the committee’s division of play into two forms: Free play and guided play.