Is "Free Time" in P.E. always Bad?

Everyone who has ever taken a Physical Education class can tell you a story involving free time in the gym. We all know the situation...Overweight teacher, throws a couple balls out and calls that a day. Some kids play some kids sit out but nothing constructive for over an hour. But is "Free Time" always a bad thing? Our brand new Physical Education Teacher has some great views on this topic and the rest of this post will be her views. Go give her a follow on twitter at @SarahCaseyPE

- While the "roll out the ball" mentality of old school PE is certainly detrimental to the overall development of physical literacy, there are opportunities for unstructured play within the middle school physical education experience. As a college student learning the ropes of teaching PE, I was inundated with information about how free time isn't good PE. But in my third year teaching, I have come to the conclusion that there is space for "free time" in the gym.

Significant research has been done on unstructured versus structured physical activity with conclusions being drawn supporting both sides. Based on personal experience, unstructured play can be a successful part of a PE program. In our program, we schedule time for "social skills." Is it free time? Yes. But it is free time with intention.

Student are expected to be moving around and playing individually or with peers in a positive way. No one is sitting on the side. No one is starting a game of dodgeball with team captains choosing players and leaving people out. It is not the free time of old school PE. Equipment is chosen by the teachers based on student interest, skill, and current unit. It's an opportunity for the teacher to observe social interactions, assess skill development, and gauge fitness level. It's also a fantastic way to see what activities students will choose when they have the opportunity. These are incredibly important parts of teaching PE and they are all completed while students are active and engaged!

At the middle school level, I have seen this structured but unstructured play be successful at 3 different schools. Each school approached the activity choices and organization differently but it was all positive and beneficial to the students. Part of this success may be the developmental level of students. At the elementary level, skills still are not developed enough to allow for free time in PE. At the high school level, it opens up the opportunity for students to refuse to participate. But at the middle school level, giving students a chance to direct their learning and experience matches their need for independence, choice, autonomy, and self-discovery.

The adolescent brain is working hard to develop the pre-frontal cortex and be able to make decisions independently. Unstructured play allows students to interact with peers, solve problems, think critically, and create games and challenges. These are all essential parts of adolescent brain development. Meanwhile, students are physically active which releases endorphins and triggers the brain's reward centers (which drive adolescent enjoyment and motivation -- check out this Ted Talk for more info). If allowing students free time gives them a chance during the rigorous school day to develop their brain in functional social situations and positive behaviors be biologically reinforced through physical activity, I'm all in.

There's a place for free time in your gym. It may take time to figure out the best approach, but it can be a game changer for providing the best PE experience for your students.