"Play"

 

Do you remember the specific time in your childhood when you spent an entire late afternoon raking leaves in your yard?  This initial idea that came from our parents was not promising to be fun.  But, think for a moment, and see what you may recall. 

My memory is from a suburban house in Columbus, Ohio.  The air was crisp, the sun was shining, and the smell of the leaves were intoxicating.  The leaves were abundant and the chore seemed daunting.  The acorns were at my feet, sometimes covering the yard and some years not.  The sun splashed upon my face giving me just enough warmth that I never felt cold, because I was warm in my Ohio State sweatshirt. 

Once the raking started and the leaves were finally in piles, the fun began.  First came the run and then the graceful leap into the air falling softly on top of the leaves.  I'm not really sure how graceful I was, but I sure felt as if I was high in the sky before touching the leaves.  The cushion of leaves was full of moisture, smells, comfort, and soon after, came laughter. The pile seemed so deep and large.  Often, after the nicely piled leaves were spread thin with the grass now showing, I would create forts with my sister and my friends and we developed games that were entertaining and full of joy.   Hiding from the cars that drove by was a great source of fun and spontaneous giggles.   

 

These memories stick close to me as I prepare to begin the raking of the leaves with my own children this fall.  Sometimes, adults look at jobs like raking the leaves as just another thing to do to keep up with the many chores that go along with living in a home with a yard. I hope we can take time to enjoy the moments you have doing these chores with your children.  Or simply, take a step back and let them do the chore.  Yes, the leaves will never be as neatly organized as many of us would like, but it is the sense of accomplishment and the memories that may last a lifetime for your children.

 

Over two months of school have passed and we are all preparing for the impending holiday season.  This season is always full of childhood memories that many of us as adults still hold close to our hearts today. 

 

One word I would like all of us to think about is "Play".  Webster's definition of play is, "to amuse oneself, as in recreation."  Think about how much play and fun we have had in our lives.  And take a moment to think about how important it is to find time to play as an adult.  Many of you do this without hesitation.  

Some feel silly when we are out of our comfort zone, and maybe even think doing "play" is only for children.  I am fortunate to be in a profession that I get to be around children.  And as you know, children truly understand the gift of play.  Sometimes even too much play.  As some of you notice, I enjoy getting dressed up for Halloween, and that is truly a playful time of the year for all of the administration at Swain.  I also enjoy simply laughing with the students in the hallways about topics that are much less serious than most of my day must sometimes be.  As an educator, you would presume, I am a big believer that we must be role models.  That is truly how I feel.  We must give the students the examples needed to understand how to perform academically, but also the skills and knowledge how to operate as morally courageous individuals.  So, the play I want children to experience has purpose.

 

It is not the type of play that is hurtful or the type of play that is at someone else's expense, but it is in the form of games, humor, and joyfulness.  A book I have mentioned to you before by Daniel Pink, A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, has an entire chapter on the concept and the importance of play.  I often take time to read through it to remember that engaging in "play" is important for adults and children alike. 

Our students work very hard at The Swain School.  And they should be focused on accomplishing the academic responsibilities they have to succeed at this independent school.  However, as the role model, and as an adult, I do believe we must represent ourselves as happy, well adjusted adults, who understand how to play.  We must laugh and we must understand that the games we engage in, the humor we enjoy, and the joyfulness we experience can be an example for our children.  Play is something that comes very easy to a child, but it also can be an important role for an adult.

 

Albert Eistein suggested, "games are the most elevated form of investigation".  I like the idea that investigation is a game.  We can play and work simultaneously and witness and experience things that would not come from a book alone.  The "learn by doing" method of gaining knowledge is meaningful.  We may learn by doing something that was not a good idea or that was a great idea, but we will learn things by this investigation and form of inquiry.  Games should be full of imagination, fair, a collection of ideas, and sense of learning that is not always forced, but experienced. 

 

We often remind our children that their job right now is to be a great student.  And that they need to take their education seriously, because we are investing in this independent school education to help them be prepared better for their adult lives.  I encourage all of us as parents to continue this message.  But, we must take the time to allow the students see us enjoy adulthood.  When they see happy and fun loving adults, laughing and interacting with other adults and children, they will see that it is perfectly fine to grow and develop and ultimately become an adult in their unstoppable future.  These subtle messages we provide are important to the learning process and the outcome of healthy-minded individuals who enjoy the basics of life.   Happiness is a key ingredient to life.

 

As we enter the holiday season, let us all not worry about the perfect turkey meal, the perfect family gathering, or the perfect gift given.  Let us take the time to play and laugh with one another, and enjoy our family and friends.  These memories will last a lifetime and create young adults who will be better prepared to take the serious part of life seriously, but also remind themselves to focus in on the most important aspect of life.  And in my opinion, that is the human interaction, and the fundamental need to be a good person with a good heart. 

So go ahead, laugh and play.  Smell the leaves, and join in the fun.   Because the serious things in life will be there when you're done, and I believe they will be easier to manage.

 

Warmly,

 

Todd