Comparing free play vs. guided play: an overview

• Autores: Jesús Amaro, Carlos David Gómez Carmona, Markel Rico González
• Localización: Physical education in early childhood: movement and development from 3 to 6 years / coord. por Markel Rico González, 2025, ISBN 9781041016182
• Idioma: español
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• Resumen

  • This chapter examines the critical role of physical activity (PA), physical education (PE), and psychomotricity in early childhood education, with particular emphasis on comparing free play (FP) and guided play (GP) methodologies. Through a comprehensive analysis of current research, the chapter explores how these approaches influence the development of motor, socioemotional, and cognitive competencies in preschool children. The evidence suggests differential effects across developmental domains: GP demonstrates superior outcomes for motor competence development, while showing a slight advantage in promoting pro-social behaviours and peer interactions. Conversely, FP appears more beneficial for cognitive development, particularly in areas of sustained attention, meaningful learning experiences, and language development, especially in bilingual children. Regarding physical activity levels, structured or guided activities tend to elicit higher engagement compared to FP alone. The chapter synthesizes findings from multiple randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews, highlighting the importance of implementing a balanced curriculum that integrates both FP and GP approaches. This integration allows children to benefit from the strengths of each methodology across different developmental domains. The chapter concludes with practical applications for early childhood educators, emphasizing the need for thoughtful implementation of both structured and unstructured play opportunities. These findings contribute to the growing body of literature on early childhood education methodologies and provide evidence-based recommendations for optimizing developmental outcomes through physical activity and psychomotricity in preschool settings.