“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But, for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” Fred Rogers.
Over the long weekend we found ourselves sitting around the house without many plans. Deep breath. Summer was a busy (fabulous for sure but busy) few months. A new job for J will mean some travel & lots of adjustment in the near future so this time to just be was a blessing. But not many plans this weekend resulted in our girls complaining of having “nothing to do” after a while. After I suggested made them do some chores amidst some general grumbling we reminded them that being bored is simply not an option. Bored is a bad word in our home.
Having time is a gift in our busy world and we refused to fill their time. There are too many adventures to be had. Too many games to make up. Too many creations to dream up. Too many conflicts to solve together. I was reminded that if I fill their time I am robbing them of the opportunity to learn and create. After a while there was sword fighting, finishing a new chapter book, dance parties, a school schedule with trampoline recess, an original board game complete with complicated rules, and the house smelled of chocolate cake being baked by an 11 year old.
Play is the good work of childhood. And children remind us to just wonder, dream, & make something from what seems like nothing. I am trying to remember to plan lots of times to play, dream, collaborate, & just be.
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