How do you direct (productive) free time?

[momtoboyz]

I forget the term Charlotte Mason uses but what does directed free time look like in your house? Is there a list of activities to choose from or is every day assigned a certain activity/project? I would love to make better use of this time, if you know what I mean. ;)

Also, any suggestions of activities for little boys (5-7yrs)?
Legos, mazes, drawing, building, quiet reading,.....?

[8FillTheHeart]

Hmmmm.......maybe our family is weird??? If they aren't allowed to watch TV or go on the computer, my kids all seem to just naturally choose "productive" activities. Building toys.....Legos, Knex, Brick and Mortar.....those are always hits with my boys. Modelling from clay or playdough. Making maps of all kinds for different adventures. Creating elaborate tales to coincide with some game they have created and they run through the house dressed up in costumes pretending to be the characters.

Golly, really, I am not much help.....b/c they do it all by themselves. Thank you for your post!! You helped me recognize another huge blessing. :)

[Laura Corin]

My boys are not allowed to watch the TV, play on the computer, or use Gameboys from Monday to Friday, and only for limited times at the weekend. They read a lot, dress up, have play battles, and the younger plays with Lego and action figures. I'm barely involved.

Laura

[Trivium Academy]

Dd7 and ds3, and we have more than enough to do around the house but I found that they weren't using the games and activities that we have enough. So I have a Masterly Inactivity Jar, aka Fun Jar.

I made a list on the computer of all the CDs, games, activities, etc. that I could think of and double spaced them on the paper so I could cut them out and put them in the jar. Dd7 takes piano so at this time, I consider that her handicraft although I do have crochet and embroidery projects for her, it's just hard with her little brother around to be able to sit and focus on those.

I hope this helps, we just started doing it.

Added: It is not scheduled or forced, if they have something they want to do - no problem. If they are fighting or don't know what to do, the jar is there. Nothing goes into the jar that isn't their idea to put into the jar.

[stephanie]

I forget the term Charlotte Mason uses but what does directed free time look like in your house? Is there a list of activities to choose from or is every day assigned a certain activity/project? I would love to make better use of this time, if you know what I mean. ;)

Also, any suggestions of activities for little boys (5-7yrs)?
Legos, mazes, drawing, building, quiet reading,.....?

If our tv is off then my dc are outside. We usually don't turn on the tv until night if we even have time so they are always outside playing imaginative games together, swinging, dressing up, playing basket-ball/riding skateboards or just hanging out. We have a tree that is close to our garage that my dc love to climb in and they sit on the top of the garage roof. They have a pretend restaurant on the roof called, Blueberries in the Tree. I give them snacks up there and they pretend like they are in a restaurant. I know it sounds goofy (and dangerous), but they will spend forever up there just hanging out. I'm sure hanging on top of the garage may be scary for some moms, but they do have to sit only on the side that below is lined with the trees/shrubs that would catch their fall just in case! I love to watch them do that. We also have a long rope tied to a tallow tree that they climb in and swing out of like Tarzan. It keeps them busy!

[ThelmaLou]

I'm not very creative on this one. My kids aren't allowed to use the tv or computer at will, so they have to figure something else out. At one point, mine were all in the habit of coming to me with that whiny "What can we doooooo?" voice. They've now learned that I have a long list of chores to assign every single time. My poor 2 oldest sons practically sneak around the house during their free time. They know if I see them I'll ask them to fold laundry, vacuum, unload the dishwasher, sweep the garage, etc. (O.K. it's not that bad. They have tons of free time, but with 5 boys everyone around here shares a fair load of the housework!)

For my oldest two (12 and 11) I've started suggesting that they get ahead on their school work. And it actually works. They're learning to be productive and get things out of the way in advance so that they have more free time later. They've each "saved up" in the areas of math and grammar lessons. That way, when something more appealing comes along down the road, they can take a day or two off because they've moved ahead in some of their subjects. The idea of "making deposits" in their school account really appeals to them, so when they're bored out of their minds, they'll often crack the books.

My next two, unfortunately, haven't caught that vision yet. They'd rather lay around listlessly doing nothing that do *any* type of work. I suspect this is the norm. But if I see them being shiftless for any greath length of time I'll put them to work on chores. They do whine about it, but I tell them that as soon as they finish the chore and can think of something they'd like to do, they can get going. Amazingly, they break out the legos, playmobil, magic tricks, leap pad, audio books, etc.

There was a time when they all wanted me to compose a list/notebook of activities for them. I told them "no." I said, "You guys can just as easily go through the house room by room, cabinet by cabinet, drawer by drawer, book by book, and compile a list for yourselves." I've had enough experience making what I thought were fun suggestions only to have them shot down one by one. So no more ideas for them here. Just more chores! (And a much cleaner house!)

I'm afraid this isn't going to be very helpful, and I apologize in advance. I hope you find some good options to keep them busy that are a perfect fit for your family!

[one l michele]

Indoors my guys have a very difficult time "playing", they want to do school instead. I've tried assigning them a chore when they say they are bored, and they actually like doing the chore. I wish they would want to play more. They don't watch tv or play on the computer. They just want to be able to "help" me 24 - 7. I enjoy their company, but sometimes wonder why we have a 2300 square foot house and I have three little puppy dogs?

[Jenny in Atl]

I agree with all above... shut the T.V. and computer off, and outside they go. Kids need unstructured free time outside (if weather and place permit). Otherwise, I have lots of art supplies and an area they can use them, lots of bks, bks on audio, and board games.

[strider]

If they ASK me for something to do or tell me they are bored, I give them chores to do.

They make their own fun. In order to do so, the following are always available:

--yard
--various yard toys
--toys throughout the house
--myriad craft supplies--I keep a wide variety and allow any and all to be used at any time AS LONG AS the craft is done on a tray.

I generally keep the TV off, and computer games are played only every once in a great while.

I think that directing specific activities for free time defeats the whole purpose and philosophy laid out by Charlotte Mason.

[Susie in CA]

I have 2 dss (7 and 8). They keep themselves very buys. Like Momof7 I am barely involved in this. We do go to Archery, Karate, Soccer, Park Day and Hikes almost every week. When we are home they build with Legos, play with the rats, play with playmobil, stuffed animals, have lunch in the tree, play on the piano and sing, draw, make up games, build paper airplanes. The list goes on and on. Sometimes they do get bored and I do tell them I have something to do for them i.e. folding laundry.

That's it.

Susie

[momtoboyz]

Thank you for all the replies. It's interesting and encouraging to see inside other's homes. Mine,too, play outside, play with legos, make up games, and the rest. Sometimes they just get rowdy, loud , or run around... all the normal boy stuff I guess. My nerves and ears just get overwhelmed sometimes. :tongue_smilie: And sometimes, they'll just end up quibbling or bickering a little too much. I was wondering if perhaps they needed a little more structure/direction/ boundaries/... ?

Thanks for all your replies.

[Sue G in PA]

that I'm in the process of planning a list of activities for each subject that dc can do while I am recuperating from the birth of new baby. I don't want them to just run around willy-nilly (they tend to get VERY loud). So what I'm doing is compiling a list of subject-related activities for them to choose from each day during "school time". That could be MATH: playing math board games, pattern blocks, a workbook page if they choose, planning/ measuring to build some project (my boys love to build), etc. For GRAMMAR/WRITINGSPELLING: Mad Libs, Silly Sentences (a puzzle we have), make up poetry, make up a play, write to pen pals, write a story, play Boggle, etc. You get the picture. I'll have the list printed for each child and they must choose at least ONE act. for each subject. Do I sound a bit an%l? Well, we must get in our 180 days and can't afford any more time "off" so this is my solution! Right now...our structured free time is usually arts/crafts for ds8 and dd11, playing Star Wars for ds9 and ds6, Leapster games (they ARE educational!). free nature study (kids go outside and sketch something and then come in and "research" what they saw), reading, board games, chores, imaginative play, etc.

[Sarah CB]

We save TV and video games for weekends. My boys will usually play Playmobil or lego or go outside when they have free time, but we also have a Quiet Time where they choose something from our Quiet Time list. It's posted in the school room and includes a wide range of activities. It helps them to remember some of the things that tend to get forgotten.

[Chris in VA]

I don't direct free time. I assume you mean free time as the time they don't have school or chores to do, or places to go with you? Dd reads. Ds play on the computer, or skate, or go over to friends (they are considerably older than yours! lol)
That said, my dd is alone--she's an "only child" because she's the only girl and her brothers are 8 and 10 years older than her. Sky plays with her now that he's home, but it's still not enough.

For your boys, I'd encourage you to get them outside, just like every other poster said. You can give them the raw materials for play and let them at it--let them build with hammer and nails (teach first), make tents and dress up, garden, big stuff like that. If they like music and games, go for it. Set stuff out, and don't be afraid to get them started playing, but you don't have to be their only playmate. Get their dad involved. Go for walks and pack a snack. Do some planned and some totally unplanned stuff.

Sometimes I think kids who are really bored actually long for their parent's interaction. Don't be afraid to be there for them.

[kdeno]

We do not have a TV and I still would like to see my guys involved in more imaginative play. They do like to color and cut and glue and they would like playdough, I am so afraid of the mess. I always was a messy fun mom but since digging myself out of chaos I am afraid of lapsing.

Kari

[Susie in CA]

Thank you for all the replies. It's interesting and encouraging to see inside other's homes. Mine,too, play outside, play with legos, make up games, and the rest. Sometimes they just get rowdy, loud , or run around... all the normal boy stuff I guess. My nerves and ears just get overwhelmed sometimes. :tongue_smilie: And sometimes, they'll just end up quibbling or bickering a little too much. I was wondering if perhaps they needed a little more structure/direction/ boundaries/... ?

Thanks for all your replies.

Mine get pretty rowdy sometimes, too. They, too, start bickering. When that happens I give them alone time. It is not time-out. I actually think that they need to be by themselves for a while to think, read, be.

Susie

[Mom2legomaniacs]

My boys are not allowed to watch the TV, play on the computer, or use Gameboys from Monday to Friday, and only for limited times at the weekend. They read a lot, dress up, have play battles, and the younger plays with Lego and action figures. I'm barely involved.

Laura

This is our house as well. No tv, no computer time during the week. Mine play pretend things often. They read. They play with Imaginext and Legos a lot. I rarely get involved either. Occasionally, they will say they are bored. The second I suggest an unfavorable task, they come up with one of the above.

[Josie]

At that age I would get out 6 or 7 things that I wanted them to play with/do and they would pick from that. I haven't read the other posts, so I hope this isn't a duplicate suggestion.

[Tami]

We are similar to other posters. Assigning certain projects or games defeats the idea of productive free time.

We have a growing list of acceptable productive free time activities. If dd can prove to me it is productive, we will add it to the list. I consider this a valuable part of our school day - not leisure time. Scheduling for free choice time is very intentional. Our school hours are generally from 8am to 3 or 4 pm, but formal instruction ends at 1 or so. 1-3 pm is time for pursuing interests. Again, I consider this vital educational time, not leisure time.

Coming up with a list of acceptable activities, with the child's input, worked at our house. Keep adding to the list, as children can convince you that an activity is productive. At our house, productive free time is different than *leisure* time.

After school hours and chores, many days we are out and about in the afternoon - or spend time anyway we wish.

: )
Tami

[Tami]

We are similar to other posters. Assigning certain projects or games defeats the idea of productive free time.

We have a growing list of acceptable productive free time activities. If dd can prove to me it is productive, we will add it to the list. I consider this a valuable part of our school day - not leisure time. Scheduling for free choice time is very intentional. Our school hours are generally from 8am to 3 or 4 pm, but formal instruction ends at 1 or so. 1-3 pm is time for pursuing interests. Again, I consider this vital educational time, not leisure time.

Coming up with a list of acceptable activities, with the child's input, worked at our house. Keep adding to the list, as children can convince you that an activity is productive. At our house, productive free time is different than *leisure* time.

After school hours and chores, many days we are out and about in the afternoon - or spend time anyway we wish.

: )
Tami

[KYHokiemom]

I have found that there is great power in placing activities and projects in places the children see. The games that were once in the game chest are now played when placed on the coffee table. A new pile of picture books near the comfy reading chairs, water colors out with big sheets of fresh white paper on the school table, origami books and paper on the kitchen table, a pot of dirt and seeds on the deck, .... you get the idea! This gives me ability to direct without saying a thing! Of course, just sending the kiddos outside is good too!

[momtoboyz]

If dd can prove to me it is productive, we will add it to the list. I consider this a valuable part of our school day - not leisure time. Scheduling for free choice time is very intentional. Our school hours are generally from 8am to 3 or 4 pm, but formal instruction ends at 1 or so. 1-3 pm is time for pursuing interests. Again, I consider this vital educational time, not leisure time.

Coming up with a list of acceptable activities, with the child's input, worked at our house. Keep adding to the list, as children can convince you that an activity is productive. At our house, productive free time is different than *leisure* time.


: )
Tami


Tami, I love your distinction between productive free time and leisure time. That's very helpful to keep that in mind.
What are some of the acceptable activities on your list?

Oh, btw, I tried again and was able to download the AHYS schedule! They're amazing! Thanks!

[Aletheia Academy]

For my littles, our daily routine is fairly structured, but the structure includes independent time to play and explore. Once we are downstairs in the morning after dressing and tidying rooms, they don't go upstairs again until their quiet time in the afternoons.

In the morning, they have some play time after breakfast and before school begins. We have some school time together, and I have some one-on-one time with each dc, too. During breaks or when I am with the one dc, the other plays with the toys/activities of his/her choice. I have certain music (classical and educational) that is only available duirng this time.

Most days and most of the time, the kids interact and manage themselves without my direct supervision; however, there are occasions when I have to referee or remove one from the situation.

During their quiet time in the afternoon, each child stays in his/her own room and plays with toys that live only in his/her bedroom. I choose toys that inspire creative play, e.g. dolls, legos, car sets, castle/knight set, ponies and accessories, etc. I also have a variety of music and books on CD that are only available during this time. Sometimes they nap, and sometimes not.

This system, IMO, has really helped my dc develop the ability to manage some of their day independently (and with each other) and happily, stimulate their creative play skills and imaginations, and foster their understanding and respect of shared property and private property. Importantly, too, this effort has paid off by giving me time to myself in the afternoons to...do whatever (clean, cook, read, look at the WTM board, pay bills). It has been a lifesaver for me.

They don't watch TV at all, but there are some videos, educational and otherwise that they sometimes watch right before dinner (to allow me to get it ready) or after dinner. We recently rented the original Scooby-Doo cartoons from Netflix- we all loved watching those!:D

Even when they are older, I foresee that the afternoons will be quiet, independent time to read and study and rest.

Anyway, that's a peek into our house. Hope it's not TMI!

Warmly,

[Mommyfaithe]

:D


I'm not very creative on this one. My kids aren't allowed to use the tv or computer at will, so they have to figure something else out. At one point, mine were all in the habit of coming to me with that whiny "What can we doooooo?" voice. They've now learned that I have a long list of chores to assign every single time. My poor 2 oldest sons practically sneak around the house during their free time. They know if I see them I'll ask them to fold laundry, vacuum, unload the dishwasher, sweep the garage, etc. (O.K. it's not that bad. They have tons of free time, but with 5 boys everyone around here shares a fair load of the housework!)

For my oldest two (12 and 11) I've started suggesting that they get ahead on their school work. And it actually works. They're learning to be productive and get things out of the way in advance so that they have more free time later. They've each "saved up" in the areas of math and grammar lessons. That way, when something more appealing comes along down the road, they can take a day or two off because they've moved ahead in some of their subjects. The idea of "making deposits" in their school account really appeals to them, so when they're bored out of their minds, they'll often crack the books.

My next two, unfortunately, haven't caught that vision yet. They'd rather lay around listlessly doing nothing that do *any* type of work. I suspect this is the norm. But if I see them being shiftless for any greath length of time I'll put them to work on chores. They do whine about it, but I tell them that as soon as they finish the chore and can think of something they'd like to do, they can get going. Amazingly, they break out the legos, playmobil, magic tricks, leap pad, audio books, etc.

There was a time when they all wanted me to compose a list/notebook of activities for them. I told them "no." I said, "You guys can just as easily go through the house room by room, cabinet by cabinet, drawer by drawer, book by book, and compile a list for yourselves." I've had enough experience making what I thought were fun suggestions only to have them shot down one by one. So no more ideas for them here. Just more chores! (And a much cleaner house!)

I'm afraid this isn't going to be very helpful, and I apologize in advance. I hope you find some good options to keep them busy that are a perfect fit for your family!

[angela in ohio]

I have no idea if anyone has said this yet, but...

I direct free time by modeling effective us of it myself. I read, crochet, write, sew, etc., so that is what my dd do. We also enjoy playing games as a family, so they play games together when they have time on their own. Much of the time, we are all doing pretty similar things (everyone playing a game, everyone in the kitchen, everyone reading.)

[Tami]

Tami, I love your distinction between productive free time and leisure time. That's very helpful to keep that in mind.
What are some of the acceptable activities on your list?


My list changes depending on how "unschoolish" we are that week. For example, if we are unschooling, I may do only Math, English, Required Reading and follow it up with several hours of Productive Free time. In that case, The List will have more academic items on it.

In my normal, CM-ish mode, it will have more handicafts, phy-ed, science/nature study, history-related projects, etc. I always has handicraft books and a History Activity book in our Book Basket to give dd ideas.

WHen I unschooled Japan, here was my list. I can't remember for sure, but I think I just handed her this list and she scheduled her own day, keeping a time sheet and writing down what she did.


MATH – CLE Math Lesson, I Hate Mathematics book, Online math drill, math drill sheets, Saduko puzzles, Rush Hour game, Jigsaw Puzzles, Logic software

LANGUAGE ARTS – CLE Language Arts Lesson, write and read Haiku poetry, learn and paint some Japanese characters, write a friendly letter, write a story, make a Thank You, Birthday, or other greeting card for someone and include a Scripture, Calvert Spelling CD, make a scrapbook page

BASKET READING - free reading from library basket

TYPING – typing software (concentrate on accuracy more than speed)

ART – Origami project from Usborne Origami, Japanese character calligraphy, Global Art project, picture studies from Asian Art book, reproduce a favorite piece of artwork

JAPAN PROJECTS – project from Japan Activity Book, cook a Japanse dish, study Sumo wrestling, try Ikebana – Japanese flower arranging, learn some Japanses words and phrases, learn about Taiko drumming, select one or more Japanese festivals to study, learn about and have a Japanese Tea Ceremony, try any of the ideas from Funschool Japan Unit Study printout, watch Japan-related film, Life in Old Japan coloring book

GEOGRAPHY – color and label outline map from Trail Guide, answer map questions from Trail Guide, do a 3-D Country Report, make a thematic map (bodies of water, land forms, political, etc)

PRACTICAL LIFE SKILLS – daily chores, ask mom for a paid chore, cooking and meal preparation, baking, sewing, knitting, crocheting

MUSIC – research Taiko drumming, Japanese music, Composer study, Hymns, Folk Songs, play recorder

SCIENCE – read science-related books, study Bonsai gardening, study rice and how it is grown, use science kits, watch science video, identify backyard plants and critters, draw in your nature notebook, complete Nature Center “homework”

PHY-ED - exercise videos, shoot baskets, play tennis, baseball skills, gymnastics, skating, stretching/flexibility work, hiking, calisthenics, co-op gym class

COPYWORK – use Sonlight dictation, copy favorite passages from your books, copy AWANAS verses, copy lines from favorite poems


When I am in CM mode, my list of productive activities is similar to above, but minus the formal lessons. Currently my "list" is unwritten, but we have agreed upon it. This works extremely well for kids who need stucture but crave freedom. It also works well for those who like to test limits and who don't have a ton of initiative (yet). Some kids tend to get cranky and irritable when they have totally unstructured free time, so this type of system may give them the Unstructured Structure they want and need. :D

Productive choice time definitely builds initiative and I have found it valuable.

Currently dd has been spending hers doing Paper Quilling (making cards for Resurrection Sunday), crocheting, doing Origami, listening to African music and making up dances, drawing from "Draw 50 Cats" and doing crafts from an activity book I have called "Hands On Africa". A few times a week she asks for a paid chore to do (this is in addition to her regular chores.)

She had adhd and needs a structure and list or she gets cranky and oppositional. This system has made for both peace and productivity. I couldn't ask for more.

Hope this helps!