Childhood is a period
of exploration and learning. Babies play by exploring the world within their
reach and thus learn about the world. Babies from different cultures have a
variety of experiences but develop in similar fashion. Babies in Africa play in
the dirt, in Mongolia babies can crawl amongst the animals, in the United States
babies crawl in a safe, clean and probably risk free environment. This poses an
interesting question; have the “safety” restrictions hindered natural growth
and development of children?
While pondering this
question, listen to the video The
Benefits of Risk produced by Alliance for Childhood and KaBoom. Here is the
link: http://www.allianceforchildhood.org/node/96
. The short video has
four professionals discussing the benefits of risk. In general, the professionals
share that children learn from their own efforts and mistakes. Struggling is a
part of childhood and setbacks build perseverance and confidence as mastery is
achieved. This struggling can be the result of mastering a piece of playground
equipment to climbing a tree to learning to make new friends. The professionals
discuss how the United States culture is obsessed with safety and the real
problem is accepting the possibility that a child might get hurt. Trying to
make a child’s life risk free is a mistake as life is not risk free. Tom
Mullarkey, Chief Executive, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents,
states “We must try to make life as safe as necessary, not as safe as possible.”
Joe L. Frost,
University of Texas at Austin states, “The American Journal of Play promises to
change the common view that play is frivolous and unimportant. Play builds and
heals minds and bodies. It is nature’s way of ensuring competence and fitness.”
You can access the journal learn more
about the importance of play for all ages at the following link: http://www.journalofplay.org/
A day full of play
which heals minds and bodies is International Mud Day coming June 29, 2013.
Check it out http://www.worldforumfoundation.org/get-ready-for-mud-day-2013/
The
mission of the Nature Action Collaborative for Children is to re-connect children
with the natural world by making developmentally appropriate nature education a
sustaining and enriching part of the daily lives of the world’s children. A
day set aside for enjoying the outdoors and a good ole fashion mud pie. I
remember building mud pies as a child and as an adult with my children. It sure
did heal the mind and body. An excellent website for gathering more information
and resources about Mud Day is http://www.muddyfaces.co.uk/mud_kitchens.php
We can view the value
of play through quotes from some famous people.
“It is a happy talent
to know how to play.” Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1882
“Play gives children a
chance to practice what they are learning.” Fred Rogers, 1928-2003
“Play is the highest
form of research.” Albert Einstein, 1879-1955
I love your resources on play! I never thought about it from a safety perspective, but I have to admit that when I had my own children, I was worried about letting them do certain play activities for fear they would get hurt. However, I remember my mom telling me that one time she looked out the window when my sister and I were little and saw me hanging upside down on the swing set. She said I was around 3 years old and that she about had a heart attack when she saw me. I loved climbing and doing things like that when I was little. I was always flipping on something and doing "tricks" on the play equipment, but I never got hurt...not even a scratch. I also remember making mud pies...what fun! It is interesting how many kids love getting their hands in dirt and mud but how many parents cringe at the thought of them getting dirty. There are even specific cultures that will not allow their child to get dirty. I enjoyed this post and hope that more stakeholders will see the benefits that play offers to children.
ReplyDeleteHi Dixie,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments. I was also one outside running around and climbing trees with no fear of getting hurt. I know I allowed my children the same opportunity. It was difficult at times not jumping right in and making sure they were fine, but they were and their confidence was built.
Sharon Lloyd
Sharon,
ReplyDeleteLike you, I too had a lot of mud play growing up. In fact, my twin sister and I had too much fun with the mud and went over to the neighbor living behind us and smeared mud on her clean white sheets. We learned a valuable lesson through that mud play. First, every action has a consequence. Second, do not hide from that consequence because it will only be worse when mom finds you. We never did that again, but we did continue to play in the mud and it provided many hours of social development as we played with other children in the neighborhood and made many mud pies.
Darla
Hi Darla,
ReplyDeleteChildhood experiences are so much fun to remember. Thanks for sharing.
Sharon