Should play time be structured?

J and I have been attending playgroup at church since Feb.

In my chats with some of the mums who attend, the subject of whether playtime should be structured or not pops up frequently.

Some are in favour of structured playtime because they think the kids learn discipline and orderly behaviour from following a fixed timetable.

Others are okay with random or free play.

Our playgroup currently operates on a free play and mind-your-own basis. Each parent watches her own child. There isn't a person conducting Music 'n' Movement at 10 am or Story Time at 11 am.

We've had some M&M twice this term, and today the kids did some pasting to make an Easter chick to take home, but that's about all. The play room is laid out with different theme corners (Baby corner, Home corner, Car corner...), and the rest is up to the child and his parent.

I've heard that a nearby church has structured play time and different days devoted to different age groups. Sounds interesting. Maybe I should check that out.

This week, I'm taking J to visit ABC Learning Centre down the road. It's part of the research I'm doing to explore childcare options in case (or when) I go back to work fulltime.