Play, A Sacred Space
Play, A Sacred Space
Have we forgotten the value of play?
After teaching, leading, guiding, parenting, and learning from children for the last 20 years I have spent countless hours facilitating and holding sacred space for play. It is no secret that play is foundational to the learning, growth and development of our youth. Play is truly a superpower. Sadly, it is also one of the most underrated activities for many parents and educators. While the research is clear on the power of play, many parents, educators and government leaders still don’t fully grasp the value and benefits that play has for our young learners.
Mental Health Matters
The drive for measurable success has never been more apparent. The demands on our kids have never been more present. The competition for our attention has never been more abundant. Everyone is feeling the pressure. Kids, parents, and educators are all yelling “FIRE”, metaphorically that is, which is resulting in more stress, overwhelm and mental health issues than ever before.
In fact, many would even suggest that adults have lost their ability to play too, leading to more anxiety, depression, burnout and overwhelm for parents and educators. We ALL need more joy, play and unstructured time in our lives. Play provides an opportunity to tap into our intrinsic wonder, interest, curiosity, connection, flow, and inspiration.
The Root of All Learning
Play should remain at the centre of all foundational learning especially for our youth. When play is encouraged and made sacred, learning happens organically. We know that learning isn’t linear, however with more and more assessments, surveys, and curriculum rubrics we have inadvertently devalued and jeopardized the natural rhythm of learning. With more demands to measure the success of our youth we limit the time available to prioritize play. When play is made sacred children feel safe to explore their innate talents and curiosity. They have time to wonder, inquire and explore. They access their inner leadership abilities and learn collaboratively from each other. They are also gifted with the opportunity to experience a flow state.
The world has changed, but the developmental needs of our youth have not. It is time to make play scared again. It is time to unschedule our lives and classrooms in order to rewild wonder. Ask any Elementary or Jr. High student what their favourite subject is and they are likely to tell you it is recess, lunch or gym. I have discovered this often true for all kinds of learners, regardless of their academic levels of success. These activities often allow for more unstructured time, opportunities for movement, laughter, connection and explorations. All kids want more play!
Obstacles to Play
Since the very nature of play can be messy, lead to conflict, or unfold into bigger projects, many adults attempt to keep play small, neat, tidy and within short timeframes to avoid these natural possibilities. However, the conflicts, mess and gigantic expansion of play has its epic rewards. Each of these challenges provides both adults and children with an opportunity to see possibilities over problems. To be in the moment. To tap into the power of presence. To witness and be with the good, bad and indifferent of every exploration.
I would like to suggest that play is a possible antidote to our suffering, for all of us, young and old. When play is prioritized the benefits far out way the costs. The trick is we must become present to notice the benefits. This is because the benefits are often anecdotal and long term. In many ways play appears to be a nice to have, rather than a must have part of our lives.
Play is Ageless
Years ago, while visiting an incredible children’s museum in South West Florida with my three young children I observed a man in his 70’s playing at the elaborate water table. I didn’t notice any grand kids, or family members with him. If they were there with him, they apparently went on to explore another area of the museum and he stayed back to enjoy the water feature. He seemed to be completely immersed in his own world of wonder. Totally unaware that I couldn’t take my eyes off of him as he poured, maneuvered, manipulated, adjusted and watched intently as the water flowed from one ramp, dam, wheel, bucket and back again. He was fully and completely engrossed in play. Curiosity, wonder and inquiry had pulled him deeply into play. Then he would stand back to observe, carefully plan his next move, calculate and adjust accordingly. It was enthralling and inspiring for me to watch this man engage with such rigorous play. He was clear, play was sacred in his world. He knew how to play and did so unapologetically. He was a master of his craft. Something he clearly had practiced for many years. I couldn’t help but wonder if he had been an engineer, educator, or architect in his younger years. I resisted the urge to approach him and ask as I knew it would interrupt his flow state.
My kids played alongside this man for some time, but then their curiosity pulled them elsewhere in the museum to explore play in other ways. I had a hard time leaving that water table, feeling honored to have been witness to such sacred play in action. All I could consider was what would happen if we made play so scared that we all valued it and prioritized for our entire lives. How many of our global challenges would shift from problems into possibilities?
That day I learned that curiosity and play do not have an age restriction.
Wonder, trial and error, expiration, patience, observation, practice, risk taking, persistence, cooperation, creativity are all incredible by products of play that can’t be measured in linear ways. My take away mantra from that day was, “Play Always!”
Play as a Mindful Activity
We all want to become more mindful. In many ways children naturally embody the ability to be present in their play. Simply watch how a young child plays freely, then be willing to emulate that same energy in your own life. Let them be your inspiration. Reconnect to your inner child and relearn how to be curious. Relearn how to be fully in the moment. Welcome inquiry, wonder and some unstructured play in your own life. Get your hands dirty, make a mess, and play again.
10 Truths about Play
I have complied a short list of observations I have made after 2 decades of working with children in various educational settings. These continue to guide my interactions.
1. Children need more free unstructured free time than you think.
2. Children thrive when their voices, input and ideas are heard.
3. Children are naturally creative beings. When given opportunities and space to create their own games, play, art and learning their development is enhanced.
4. Children are intuitive, connected and sensitive to the world around them. Time in nature helps them balance and ground their nervous systems.
5. Children do not need more rules, regulations and structure. They need adults who can facilitate and support their natural, curious and playful ways.
6. Children are incredible teachers and leaders when given the space and freedom to lead.
7. Children need time and space to be loud, messy, and permission to fully express the vastness of their emotions.
8. Children need many opportunities to move their bodies and connect with their breath.
9. Children learn to lead and support each other when grouped with diverse age groupings.
10. Children need choice, flexibility, autonomy and freedom in their play.
When sacred play is a priority, learning unfolds naturally. This is immensely beneficial to the students, but also alleviates unnecessary stress for the teacher. Educators and parents are best utilized as guides and facilitators of play. It is our job to simply hold space for this scared language that comes so natural to young learners. As adults we can re-learn how to play as well, bringing more joy and fun into our own lives.
How can you play today?
By Amber Pavey ~ Amber is an experienced educator with certifications in mindfulness, yoga, and reiki. She is an author, speaker and the founder of Present Possibilities.
*This is a article is a duplicate to the one written by Amber in Wellness Education Magazine.
Amber Pavey is a writer, creator, educator, momma, and a lover of all things WELLness. You can learn more about her work at www.presentpossibilities.ca