play

I want to play...

I was fortunate enough to be invited to a workshop led by the renowned pedagogical consultant and author Suzanne Axelsson. This morning, she delivered an insightful talk on Becoming a Play Responsive Teacher. In one of her group games, she encouraged participants to stand if they had experienced various forms of risky play. I found myself remaining seated throughout the exercise.

Before her talk began, I had a chance to chat with Suzanne and shared that my upbringing was predominantly filled with responsibilities, often juggling school assignments in four different languages and doing assigned house works such as washing the dishes and cleaning the house. It’s not a childhood I particularly would choose. However, I later recalled some moments of joyful play with my sister and cousins.

One vivid memory was of us gathering rotten duck eggs from our flock and creatively transforming them into "flower soup" by adding bougainvillea flowers we picked from our neighbors. I also remembered the sheer joy of swinging from the tallest tree in our neighborhood, a magnificent pine tree nestled in our backyard. Although caring for our pets often felt like a chore, the happiness they brought me was immense. So, in retrospect, I did experience play in my own way.

As a strong advocate for the benefits of play, I can easily identify children who have had ample opportunities for play at home compared to those who have not. After the workshop, I sent Suzanne a brief message, expressing my commitment to ensuring that children engage in meaningful play, fostering their growth and helping them connect with their feelings, emotions, and self-respect.

I am continuously evolving as an educator. When I hear others express their passion for what they do, it inspires me to become a better person and a more effective teacher for young children.