Another quote that stands out for me is by Jack Chilton Pearce “Play is the only way the highest intelligence of humankind can unfold.” This quote is important because people forget that through the curiosity of play, the trial and error we need to figure things out, the creative ideas that come through play is how intelligence is gathered.
Three things important to my younger self
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| Dragon fly wings were amazing! |
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| Making mud pies a must! |
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| Climbing trees were essential! |
Play, Play, Play
When I was growing up, I had great play experiences. Most of them were by myself for a while because I was such a shy kid. I remember playing in the woods across the street from my house. I climbed trees, made paths like Hansel and Gretel to find my way back home, even though you could see all the way to the other side! I made mud pies in my back yard and fed them to my imaginary friends, played school teacher with my next door neighbor, and hide and go seek with the neighborhood kids. The great thing about it was adults did not come into the picture until you had to eat a meal or the family was going out somewhere. When I was with my grandmother I remember helping her wash clothes, cook and clean. I also remember exploring in her yard. There were always worms to dig up, frogs to catch and dragon flies to chase after, then walking over to the neighborhood store to get penny candy and stale cookies with the yellow icing! They were the best to me then! No one interfered or told me how to play or what to play (unless it was my bossy next door neighbor and we were the same age!) The best support I received was being able to figure it out on my own and with people who I could relate to my own age. I lived in an age and small town where it was safe for those things to occur. I wasn't scared to walk out of my front door and go play in the ditch or roll down the hill.
Unfortunately, today's society is not conducive to these experiences and it forces educators to try to create things that use to occur naturally. Many children have forgotten how to play and use their imagination but I hold on to the belief that they can be reminded of how wonderful play can be. I believe that if children are once again allowed to figure out life with only the guidance that is needed and through experiences where they can learn, then maybe society can once again be safe for children to have those outside play experiences and figure out how to use their imagination and creativity.
I look at my son now and think how different his life is from mine when it comes to play. I always had people around who I could interact with at home. I had a sister and a brother, bossy next door neighbors (and she is still bossy!), kids from down the street, but my child does not have that. He has many friends, but outside of school, it's hard for him to play with them because they are so scattered around the city. I feel sad for him sometimes because it seems as though all he has is me. How disheartening for an 11 year old boy. At least from my point of view. Don't get me wrong he knows how to play with children his own age and he tries to solve his own problems, but the experiences on the weekends for him to do this is far and few in between.
