Quote:
Originally Posted by Symbology
That play was important in coming to understand social boundaries and appropriate forms of problem solving.
My brain instantly thought of our poor children who have had their recess taken away by well(ish) meaning school administrators who want to save a buck... er I mean focus on the students studies so that they can make more money from good test scores... oh did it again... I mean gain a good education.
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Please share this with those that need the message that children (and adults) need time to play, for healthy social development. One of the things I enjoyed about the interview was that having children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, offered an opportunity to relearn those missed play time activities.
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When I was a young man I taught swimming full-time and it was my practice, and the general practice as well, to allow the kids a 5 minute playtime at the end of their 50 minute formal instruction. An older female instructor at one YMCA however, refused to release 'her' kids in spite of my pointing out the value. Basically, I threw a fit and went to the boss and insisted she comply. Yada yada yada, everyone gets playtime.
Not exactly the benefits you list Symbology, rather I saw that the kids (adult students as well) tried things in play with others and on their own that they were hesitant to try in the teacher/student mode, as well as trying new skills the regulated instruction didn't allow time for. Then there was the forgetting for a while that you're in scary water by way of familiar play. Then there was the benefit I gained in watching for things to work on in later classes. Then there is the factor that it is supervised play, with instructors assuming lifeguard roles.
Man how I don't miss those 16 hour days!
Yeah...play is good, but it needs to be supervised play. That's all I got.
