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Large play objects such as stumps foster cooperative play

Rudolf Steiner observed, "The essence of play is free." Young children need freedom in their play, to allow their imagination, brain and whole body to really be engaged. This freedom requires time and requires appropriate space. Our culture has never before spent more money on toys and "classes" for children. The interesting thing is, all that money could be saved and children would arguably be far better off. Children do not need lots of toys. Too many toys only fosters unappreciation because there are so many. It then does not matter if the toys are taken care of or not, or if things break. Children really only need a few simple toys that stimulate their imaginative brain development, and love and appreciation for those few things. Fewer toys also promotes ability to care for the objects, with adults being the role model in this endeavor, and also promotes tidying up in a satisfactory way. A huge toy bin in which toys are thrown in a big jumble is not nearly so thoughtful as placing a few beloved objects carefully on a shelf in the same way each time they are played with.
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Too much of anything is overwhelming for children, including classes. Children really love to watch adults and mimick them, so simply making a few objects and tools available to them in each room of the house in which an adult is doing chores is perfect: a small laundry basket with some dolls clothes and play cloths in the laundry room; some pots and pans and kitchen tools in the kitchen; some digging tools and pail in the garden; a small broom and soft cloth to help sweep and dust. These household "toys" along with some simple open-ended toys will go a long way in capturing a child's imagination.

What children need most are time and space: time to free play with their few beloved toys, time to observe adult role models as a springboard for their own play, time to allow their imaginations to really be free; and appropriate, nurturing space in which they can touch just about everything.

Steiner observed, "If a child has been able in his play to give up his whole being to the world around him, he will be able, in later life, to devote himself with confidence and power to the service of the world."

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