You Can’t Say You Can’t Play
Thoughts on Creativity
Photo Courtesy of my iPhone.
Hey Readers!
This week, I want to talk about play. That’s right, play! When was the last time you actually played? I know what you’re thinking. Play is just for kids, right? Wrong. Play is, in fact, one of the most important aspects of not only child development, but for adult development as well. How? Why? Check it out.
The term, “You Can’t Say You Can’t Play” is a title to the amazing book written by Vivian Gussin Paley. Paley was a pioneer teacher and widely acclaimed author whose works and research on play and the importance of storytelling in child development won her the prestigious MacArthur Award in 1989 at age 60. She authored numerous books on child development. Sadly, she passed away in 2019. You can read more about her life here: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/01/education/vivian-paley-dead.html.
Photo courtesy of Nursery World at NurseryWorld.co.uk
I had the honor of meeting Vivian Gussin Paley in person during my days as a director of a Head Start Childcare. She not only visited the center, but spent time with me in my office, and lead an entire preschool class at the center in the art of storytelling through play during a routine story time. If you can imagine–Vivian Gussin Paley’s magnetic presence, especially to children, charmed the entire group of rambunctious 3–4-year-olds in the classroom. As she entered the room, armed with magic, she captivated all 18 of them as they settled down, glued to her every word. She had a wonderful way about her, leading the children through acting out their own stories. I later used this method in my own classrooms, which were later featured in the National Association of Education of Young Children. While I didn’t get a photo with Paley at the time, here’s the book I’ve carted around ever since, which she signed.
Photo Courtesy of my iPhone.
During the Pandemic, I often thought of these words—“You Can’t Say You Can’t Play” when I brought my own children to local outside playgrounds to get fresh air during Covid, only to find the playgrounds were covered in yellow caution tape. Ironically, I was spending a lot of time at my then job helping kids that didn’t have access to computers get free ones for remote school. I couldn’t help at that time, to ponder the meaning of the electronic world we live in. I still do today, especially when I see children as young as 8 months old holding i-phones. Not only that, but recess itself is constantly under attack (https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/recess-is-good-for-kids-why-dont-more-states-require-it/). Thankfully, some states are stepping up to fight back, See: https://www.kswo.com/2024/03/13/right-recess-act-would-make-recess-mandatory-elementary-students/ and https://ktla.com/news/california/new-california-law-guarantees-30-minute-recess-break-for-school-aged-children/.
If play is under attack for children, what does that mean for adults? Why is play so important, anyway?
Play improves the cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being of children. It’s through play that children and young people alike learn about the world and themselves. It builds imagination and creativity, fosters cognitive growth, delivers emotional and behavioral benefits, improves literacy, promotes physical fitness, and builds resilience. Play is how children learn and how they work out their problems. It’s how they make sense of the world. Not only that, but play is not as simple as it appears. It is quite complex. For example, there are many types of play, including symbolic, sociodramatic, functional, and games with rules—just to name a few. I could talk all day about play. In fact, before I went to law school, I pondered getting a PH.D. in play! Here’s a great article to learn more about the benefits of play for children: https://cgcjax.org/the-importance-of-play-in-childhood/
But what about play for adults? Is it important?
Turns out, it is! The benefits of play don’t stop at childhood. It has many benefits for adults, including boosting creativity, sharpening your sense of humor, and relieving stress. In fact, it can give you a sense of hope, help you approach life with joy and excitement, boost your physical health, improve your mood, and even help you prepare for growth in your career! When I first became a lawyer, imagine my surprise when I visited a major law firm and saw that they had a mock court room in their office. For this former preschool teacher, I couldn’t help but laugh. Even lawyers engaged in dramatic play centers, acting out trials before they occurred. Okay, so they call it preparation. I’d argue they were learning through play.
So how can you incorporate more play into your life? Here are some tips.
1. Host a Board and Card Game Night: Gather your family and friends for a fun evening of classics like Monopoly, Scrabble, or newer games like Apples to Apples. The only rule: leave your mobile phones at the door!
2. Get Active: Get active according to your physical strength. If you can, go for a hike, join a sports league, take up tennis or martial arts, go bike riding, search for shells on the beach. If you aren’t able to be physical, just get outside. Soak in the sounds of the birds, study the way the tree branches move in the breeze, spy on the squirrels that cross your path. Nature does wonders for the soul.
3. Creative Hobbies: Why not engage in some creative hobbies? Not an artist? No need to worry! No one is judging your work. It’s the act of creating that matters. Try some painting, drawing, coloring, learn to knit, make a craft. Go to your local craft store or search around the house for objects like buttons, cloth, pom-poms, glitter, etc. Just make something. You don’t have to show anyone. It’s the process, not the product, that counts.
4. Gardening: Get out in the garden or buy a pot, some soil, and pot a plant! You can have an outside garden or a small indoor herb garden. Both can be therapeutic and rewarding.
5. Role-Playing Games: Gather your family for role-playing games or even make up your own! Many prominent writers’ children often put on plays at home (both Mark Twain’s kids and Louisa May Alcott and her sisters come to mind). Why not encourage your family to do the same? What if you're all alone? Perform a solo monologue. I know what you’re thinking, Sarah, really? But don’t let your ego impede your health. No one has to see you or even know you performed a solo play in your living room. It’s about loosening up and having some fun!
6. Go On An Adventure: You don’t have to spend a lot of money to go on an adventure. Look into local parks, inexpensive museums, or other places you can go to explore. My recent jaunts to various historic writer homes have inspired me. Get off the couch and go see the world! Even if it’s just the world outside your backdoor. New experiences open your mind and feed your soul.
7. Puzzles: Get out the jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, Sudoku, or other brain teasers. These activities can be both challenging and satisfying, not to mention the fact they help protect your brain from Alzheimer’s.
8. Dance: Turn up the beat and dance! Of course, you can join a dance class or go out dancing with friends, but dancing around your living room to your favorite music can do the trick too.
9. Make a Childhood Dream Come True: Was there something you always wanted to do as a kid but never did? Well, what are you waiting for, now you can! When I was a kid, I loved listening to Debbie Gibson’s music. I used to dream I could dance and sing on stage, just like her. Well, guess what? In 2023, I did just that! I signed myself up for a meet and greet with Debbie, which included, you guessed it, a chance to sing on stage with other fans and her. Now, can I sing? No. Can I dance? No. But let me tell you, the ten-year-old little girl in me was quite happy I took this chance!
10. Explore a New Hobby: Build a rocket, learn astronomy, robotics, volunteer at a pet shelter, visit a local theatre, start a DIY project, have a Karaoke party, the ideas are endless! Find something that excites you and go for it! What are you waiting for?
I hope these ideas have inspired you to get off the screen to jump headfirst into life. Play is so important not only for the mind, but for the soul.
So, what will you do first? Let me know in the comments!
Till Next Time,
Sarah
AKA A Busy Lady
© 2024 WHATS GOIN ON?! SLN Publishing LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Your work is flawless. So important
My gosh! You write what I am interested in!
I talk about recess in my book. So discouraged when schools shorten recess. It is so important! Love your posts ! Thank you. What an honor to know that author. Love and peace,
Concetta