Play
What does that word mean to you? What images does it bring up?
Do only children 'Play'?
Do we parents/teachers have to set up 'play'?
What is my role in child's play?
These questions set me off to explore this topic.
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As a teacher by trade and now as a mother, my goal is to encourage children to be competent and confident in their own abilities. Magda Gerber's educaring approach provided a base for me and now I leap into the literature from Playworkers such as Peter Gray and Marc Armitage.
From their research, I now understand that 'Play' is a perfect way for these characteristics to blossom. But first, we adults must get out of the way.
Peter Gray in his book "Free to Learn" narrows Play to 5 characteristics in chapter 7.
The characteristics all surround the nature of motivation and attitude the person brings to an activity.
The first characteristic that he describes, "Play is Self-Chosen and Self-directed" was music to my ears. This has been the framework to my crusade. I see the value in children using their own faculties to manipulate their environment. To have the liberty to move in any direction their little minds might take them.
My home is set up with open-ended loose parts and toys. I sit and watch my children explore, create and 'play' all day. I sometimes join in and be their puppet waiting for directions as to what they expect from me. With my daughter, it may look like us passing objects back and forward. With my son, he likes to act like certain animals and create worlds around us.
I have run two Pop-Up Playgrounds in Melbourne and one day hope to do more. The purpose of these pop-ups is first and foremost to provide a space for children to follow their natural desires with the objects and their peers. Secondly, I would like to demonstrate to adults they need not do anything and children are fully immersed without their help.
My advice from all of this is to 'do less, observe more and enjoy most'
Provide lots of open-ended play objects, boxes, blocks, even dolls etc.
Magda Gerber refers to these as passive play objects. she says
"None do anything. They will only respond when the infant activates them. In other words, our active infant manipulates passive objects"
Take a step back at home, in the garden or at the park. What is your role in your child/children play opportunities? Are you creating a space with open-ended materials that they can discover, create and explore at free will?
Whilst your children are 'playing' take this opportunity to 'play' too
Vanessa
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