My children teach me the wonderful world of playing.
I don’t remember much playtime in my childhood. Not because I was not allowed to; I was just a bit of an odd kid, I suppose, who tended to be too serious and studious. That attitude carried on a bit into later years when I found myself, though suitably sociable, just wasn’t into playfulness that defines those magical decades of teenage and early adulthood.
Fast forward to parenthood. For me, the toughest part is not the duties of caring, teaching, feeding, and so on, but the ability to let go, play and be generally crazy (I have 2 active boys!). My husband, on the other hand, has always treasured the child in himself, and be able to switch between the roles of parent and playmate appropriately.
What I have learned in the past 9 years since joining parenthood is that Play is a pivotal aspect of a healthy person.
- Playing nurtures creativity which is the foundation of problem-solving and critical thinking.
- Playing with friends plants the seeds of social skills and team spirits.
- Playing allows your brain to flex its muscles in all directions.
- Playing, if physical, is the best way to build and maintain a healthy body and mind (look at the billion-dollar industry that helps stressed-out adults to regain that balance!).
The list goes on. I must admit I am still a student in this regard. This, my friends, is one of my key resolutions for Year 2013 – Play More.
