The Magic of Play

Play is the only way the highest intelligence of humankind can unfold.
Joseph Chilton Pearce

A thought on the magic of play. In Waldorf edcuation, play is considered the child's work. To understand this idea, all you have to do is remember a time when you were little and you were so involved in your play. When Mom or Dad said it was time to clean up or come inside, it was just the most painful experience. "But, I am busy, really busy!" Remember?

That is because this is the most vital activity, especially for the young child up to seven, and even beyond. It is where true creativity, imagination, and the possibilities lay. But not all play is the same!

Open ended, free play with toys that are not too limited in their possibilities enables the child to truly reach beyond himself and create out of the ether what he or she needs.

Take for example my experience with my middle daughter. Today she sat down with the wooden stacking rings and created the most marvelous story of a Native American family hunting and preparing a meal. Each ring became someone or something, and she contentedly sat for over half an hour with her amazing story. Then she said, "I'm done.", and went off to get ready for dinner.

What is so remarkable is that she was able to see something beyond what was literally in her hands, and she didn't limit herself. And she was so thoroughly satisfied! Can you see the implications of such creativity and thinking? Essentially to solve the problems of the future, our children need to see new possibilities, not just know particulars and facts. This is an amazing example of thinking outside the box!

What else is so exciting is that this example encourages one to go beyond the materialism of our culture, and see that children can be content with the simplest of things, or toys. They don't need constant entertainment, nor expensive electronic toys (look for my post on electronic toys coming soon), and so on. There is something richer, and that is the very depth of their own being that can be nurtured and protected and brought to the fore given the right milieu.

My thoughts to share.