Just Playing?

On this day of turmoil and revenge, I thought it would be nice to remember the joys of childhood and innocence. 

One of the questions we are so often asked at Latika and Karuna Vihar is "Don't you ever teach the children? All they seem to do is to play." 

It's so hard to convince parents that when they play, children are learning all they need to know, that their brains are hard-wired for this, that for kids, play is work and that they actually need to do it to grow and flourish.

When Marcie was here last week with Paula, she told me about a poem by Anita Wadley about the importance of play. I loved the idea, but I wasn't wild about the way it was written. So I did my own version below and added photos to make it even more fun. I tried to give a link to the original version at the end of the post, but I keep getting an error message - just google Anita Wadley if you'd like to read it.

 

Building castles out of blocks

I dream of shape and form

I wonder about balance

And how a house is born.

I stack the blocks so carefully

I keep myself quite still

I’m learning how each piece behaves

And how a space is filled.

I’m going to be an architect.

And you think I’m just playing?

Wearing Mama’s high-heeled shoes

I stand up tall and straight

I pack my briefcase on my own

And kiss the kids – I’m late!

I know they want to tag along

But Mama has to work

I’m off to court to try a case

I’m wearing Mama’s skirt.

I’m going to be a lawyer.

And you think I’m just playing?

This picture that I’m working on

Was going to be a tree

But on the way, another thought

Seemed just as good to me –

A tree of stars, each branch alight

Demanded to be drawn -

The vision from inside my heart

Appeared here on its own.

I’m going to be an artist.

And you think I’m just playing?

My students sit in tidy rows

And wait for me to speak.

Well, three are dolls, and one’s a cat

Who thinks I’m speaking Greek.

He won’t sit still or do his work

He doesn’t like to read –

For him I’ve got an IEP:

He’s got ADHD.

I’m going to be a teacher.

And you think I’m just playing?

 

This hole goes clear to Africa

Straight down, clean and bright

I’ve got my shovel and some forks

I’m sure my map is right.

I’ve been working here since morning

You can help me if you wish

But don’t disturb the little elves

They’ve just come off their shift.

I’m going to be an explorer.

And you think I’m just playing?

I’m busy with this puzzle

I have to fit this piece

The one that seems to have no home

No matter how I squeeze.

It seems some rules are absolute

Like square pegs and round holes

I’m learning how to work it out

I’m focused on my goals.

I’m going to be a problem-solver.

And you think I’m just playing?

 
Ask me what I did today –

The answer’s always “Played.”

At school, at home and on the bus –

My mind’s just built that way.

I’m a child and play’s my job

It’s what I’m meant to do –

It’s how I learn about the world

And grow to be like you!

I’m going to be a grownup.

And you think I’m just playing?