Issue 4 - Introductory Reflective Piece

There is so so much that I could say about play, creativity, and imagination. For this piece, I’m going to go back to my preschool children. This is a story that I shared on LinkedIn a while back, reflecting on the shenanigans of young children. So here it is….

Pre-School Dramas: A Storytime

A few weeks ago, one of my worst "working with children" nightmares came true, and I actually didn't mind it much.

It was my first day working in the pre-school in about a month or so, and I'd come at the time of day when the kids had already eaten, run around awhile, and now needed to be put down for their naps.

As usual, there was the bustle of "Teacher, can I go to the toilet?" (even though they don't need it), some kids wanting to read or play instead of sleep, others fighting and flatulating (farting), or invading the space on each other's sleeping mats, rearranging their blankets 5 times, chatting conspiratorially in little groups. In a nutshell, they were doing what kids do at naptime: adamantly refusing to sleep, even though they're exhausted and need it.

But this time, something was different.

There was mutiny in the air...

Eventually, the teachers and I got them to that point where they'd just begun to comply and lie down. They weren't sleeping yet, but they were obeying.

Suddenly, while checking on some kids, in my periphery I saw the teacher I was with leave. I looked up and realised that I was alone in the room with about 50 3 to 6 year olds. The moment I realised it, the kids seemed to realise it too. There was this moment where we all looked at each other wearily and I just knew.... and then EVERYTHING. EXPLODED.

Kids started screaming at the top of their little lungs, jumping up and down, bellowing "lalalalalalala", talking - some kid started dragging another in a corner, which I had to run and sort out. At some point, the twins lying at my feet tapped me "innocently" on the leg. When I looked down, I saw that they'd neatly untied my shoelaces while I wasn't looking and were smiling up at me, proud of their work and expecting a reaction. That was the moment I realised that I was either in a movie, or a waking dream, and could only sigh in acceptance.

When the teacher came back and loudly said "hey! what are you doing!?, EVERYONE settled and got back into their little mats. I realised that today wasn't the day for me to be supervising nap time, much as I missed the kids. I took the opportunity, and left the room. I probably could've stayed, but I conveniently remembered that my talents were needed elsewhere.

The Takeaway

This story is meant to illustrate in a few ways the playfulness and intelligence of children and their ability to learn and understand how the world works. How they explore and learn from each other and from your responses to their learning and exploration. I think back on that moment and the absolute delight on their little faces during their moments of absolute naughtiness. Even these moments, and your response to them are key in guiding their learning and development.

Sometimes the play of children can make you want to scream or cry or both. It does not always feel beautiful (I say this thinking of a child who incessantly blew a whistle for over 30 minutes while I ate lunch today). This situation did not make me angry with the children. Yes I wasn't happy with their deliberate naughtiness, they knew exactly what they were doing and did it on purpose.

Rather, I appreciated their mischievousness as it showed me the complexity of even their young brains, how they could calculate cause and effect, timing, right and wrong behaviour, and be influenced by their teachers. This knowledge and understanding came out in their play. It showed me their natural tendency to let loose, play, and have fun and, at the end of the day, it made me laugh.

Sometimes we are not in the right frame of mind to appreciate children's play. But when we purposely pay attention, it demonstrates so much of them as social individuals, developing, carving their place in the world, making their presence known, and exploring. It is one of the most beautiful things to witness and reflect on. So, as we go on the journey of this Issue, try to see the play of children differently to how you have before.

As I write this, I realise that I could never fully do this topic justice as it is one near and dear to my heart, and there are so many joyful things to discuss. But I will do my very best. I hope you'll strap in alongside me for the ride.