The Importance of Play
We’re in my hometown of Ithaca for three weeks because Matt’s in Oakland for four. He’s got a trial there starting next week, and right now he’s hunkered down in a conference room, ordering meals in. And while he works, we play.
And I used to feel guilty about that, thinking my time would be better spent being efficient, until our priest spoke about the importance of play. He said it’s through play that you celebrate life, that you honor it. Because it is through play you become an active participant in your life.
Because life isn’t about the drudgery or the passivity of a repetitive task; it’s about curiosity. God gives each of us gifts. And it’s through play we discover what they are.
By building tunnels. By learning how to play an instrument. By reading a book.
Play leads us to our passions. Which are what keep us alive in spite of it all.
What have you discovered about yourself through play?
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JDaniel4's Mom:
June 25th, 2010 at 5:47 am
This looks like a great park to play in.
Allison:
June 25th, 2010 at 7:17 am
Are you sure you aren’t down the street? Ironically, two days ago I put down the wash, stopped doing the dishes and the gardening and jumped head first into the bouncy house with Margot. we wore tutus on our heads and bounced and rolled and laughed. I swear she looked at me with eyes that said, “There you are, mommy. I found you.” Go play and prosper, Jennifer.
Molly:
June 25th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
I love this post. So well said and something I am CONSTANTLY needing to be reminded of.
Hope you’re enjoying your time at home.
Chris Whittaker:
June 25th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
Speaking of the role of play:
http://www.museumofplay.org/index.html
Lynn:
June 25th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
I forgot how to play until I had my daughter. And then she forgot how to play when she recessed into autism. Now we are both learning play as a skill…kind of clinical and not as spontaneous as everyone else, but we will get there together!
Christina:
June 26th, 2010 at 3:36 am
The Alliance for Childhood is a great resource for those interested in play as well as anyone concerned about the gravitation of the elementary school experience toward more testing, particularly of very young children:
http://www.allianceforchildhood.org/home
And if you haven’t read Richard Louv’s book “Last Child in the Woods” or followed his No Child Left Inside campaign, it’s also worth a look:
http://richardlouv.com/
MonicaFernaays:
June 26th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
I have rediscovered the use of imagination!! My daughter whos 3 just said to me recently, “use your imagination, mom”, wow that is said, I am so in the here and now, I forgot about what wonderful things you can come up with if you use your imagination!
I left you an award @ Organized Chaos!!
Blessings, Monica
Jan:
January 9th, 2012 at 11:47 am
I stumbled on this site, and loved the play posts…. I was with my two grandsons of the heart a few days ago, and am so taken with their breathtaking embrace of life and liveliness…. I’m so aware of how shut-down we adults get, and vow to excavate myself to unearth the core of creativity beneath the bills, the duty, the cobwebs…