Well, this is so reassuring: knowing that I have nothing special to do for my kids apart from letting them explore the world and keeping them away from the conditioning I got throughout my life.
I would like to add to this that Children have a Right to Play (UN CRC Art. 31) "to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts."
In their General Comment #17 in 2013, they define Play as follows (emphasis mine):
Children’s play is any behaviour, activity or process initiated, CONTROLLED and STRUCTURED BY CHILDREN themselves; it takes place whenever and wherever opportunities arise. Caregivers may contribute to the creation of environments in which play takes place, but play itself is NON-COMPULSORY, driven by intrinsic motivation and UNDERTAKEN for its OWN SAKE, RATHER THAN AS A MEANS TO AN END. Play involves the exercise of autonomy, physical, mental or emotional activity, and has the potential to take infinite forms, either in groups or alone. These forms will change and be adapted throughout the course of childhood. The key characteristics of play are fun, uncertainty, challenge, flexibility and NON-PRODUCTIVITY. Together, these factors contribute to the enjoyment it produces and the consequent incentive to continue to play. While play is often considered non-essential, the Committee reaffirms that it is a fundamental and vital dimension of the pleasure of childhood, as well as an essential component of physical, social, cognitive, emotional and spiritual development
The reason I emphasised certain sections is because there's an abomination called "Play Based Learning" where Adults direct and control play in order to achieve outcomes set by the adult.
Well, this is so reassuring: knowing that I have nothing special to do for my kids apart from letting them explore the world and keeping them away from the conditioning I got throughout my life.
I would like to add to this that Children have a Right to Play (UN CRC Art. 31) "to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts."
In their General Comment #17 in 2013, they define Play as follows (emphasis mine):
Children’s play is any behaviour, activity or process initiated, CONTROLLED and STRUCTURED BY CHILDREN themselves; it takes place whenever and wherever opportunities arise. Caregivers may contribute to the creation of environments in which play takes place, but play itself is NON-COMPULSORY, driven by intrinsic motivation and UNDERTAKEN for its OWN SAKE, RATHER THAN AS A MEANS TO AN END. Play involves the exercise of autonomy, physical, mental or emotional activity, and has the potential to take infinite forms, either in groups or alone. These forms will change and be adapted throughout the course of childhood. The key characteristics of play are fun, uncertainty, challenge, flexibility and NON-PRODUCTIVITY. Together, these factors contribute to the enjoyment it produces and the consequent incentive to continue to play. While play is often considered non-essential, the Committee reaffirms that it is a fundamental and vital dimension of the pleasure of childhood, as well as an essential component of physical, social, cognitive, emotional and spiritual development
The reason I emphasised certain sections is because there's an abomination called "Play Based Learning" where Adults direct and control play in order to achieve outcomes set by the adult.
Great point, thanks for sharing this
💯 🌱 so important. And boredom 💤