I really believe in the importance of play especially when it comes to teaching kids anything. I came across this article from Scholastic and it talked about my thoughts on playtime exactly.
"When a child cannot watch television, play video games, and is not participating in a scheduled "externally focused" activity, she will become more internally focused. Her imagination and creativity takes over. She will find and create "toys" from what is available — sticks become dolls, dolls become royalty, and these members of "royalty" become actors in the child's play — rocks become blocks, blocks become walls, and walls create castles."
- Dr. Bruce Perry
Read the full article here.
When I read this part, I remembered that day when the kids and I played at the backyard with their G.I. Joes. The kids were getting bored already that day and my chores and errands were up to my neck already. I stopped for a while and asked them what they wanted to play and they said that I haven't played G.I. Joes with them for a long time. So I brought them to the garden, which was right outside the kitchen so I could check on them every now and then. At first, when I told them to set up a fort for the Joes at the backyard, they looked at me with a clueless face.
"What do you mean, mom? We don't have a base."
So I said, "Then we'll make one."
All it took were a few rocks, a handful of barbecue sticks, twist ties, kraft paper, and a whole lot of imagination. I started with this wall or barrier made of rocks. As soon as they saw what I made, they realized the possibilities were endless.
By the time I got back to them (which was just about 15 minutes), there was a whole fort for the G.I. Joes. There was a medic tent, a torture chamber (for traitors) complete with a viewing area, quarters for Joes, and many more.
They were so proud of their work, but not as much as how proud I was of them. They went from "I'm dying of boredom" to "This is the best day ever!" It really just takes a nudge to get them started, whether it's as simple as being creative, or as deep as going after their passions.
"The more you encourage creativity and tap into the child's sense of fun, the easier it will be to introduce even greater challenges."
- Dr. Bruce Perry
