Valuing Play

01/25/2023

We are, essentially, stealing from children when they are forced to train for the future instead of allowing them to play in the now. Trust in play.
Suzanne Axelsson

The American Academy of Pediatrics has outlined the many benefits of play, “Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength… As they master their world, play helps children develop new competencies that lead to enhanced confidence and the resiliency they will need to face future challenges… When play is allowed to be child driven, children practice decision-making skills, move at their own pace, discover their own areas of interest, and ultimately engage fully in the passions they wish to pursue. Ideally, much of play involves adults, but when play is controlled by adults, children acquiesce to adult rules and concerns and lose some of the benefits play offers them, particularly in developing creativity, leadership, and group skills… Perhaps above all, play is a simple joy that is a cherished part of childhood."

In Pursuing Bad Guys: Joining Children’s Quest for Clarity, Courage and Community, Donna King writes, “Pretend play is children’s primary research method; it’s how, as individuals and groups, they live into and explore the ideas and feelings they find most pressing and captivating…The play is a window into children’s thinking and emotional landscape. Children’s pretending is rich with hints about what worries them; what frustrates them; what they long for; and what brings them joy. And that’s especially true when pretending allows the children to BECOME the badness.”

Speaking about ‘bad guy play,’ King notes, “It’s not just ‘permissible mischief.’ Pretending to be one way— in this case, defensive and aggressive—actually bolsters the children’s capacity to act the opposite way—open and welcoming.”

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