Recently, I was perusing the TIME website and came across a video called “Building a Better Playground,” which featured footage from the opening of Imagination Playground in New York City on July 27, 2010. This is a one-of-a-kind 300-piece playground that allows children to engage in unstructured creative play through interesting elements such as giant loose building blocks that float in water, kid size tunnels, and a listening course, where children can talk into linked funnels and tubes that project sound from varying outlets.
David Rockwell, the founder and CEO of Rockwell Group, conceived the blueprint for Imagination Playground five years ago aiming to illustrate the need for children of all ages to experience different varieties of play and to work together to solve problems. I was thrilled to see a playground that encompasses kids’ desire to create, while still including traditional playground equipment that promotes motor skill growth.
It is ventures like this that afford children the opportunity to grow mentally, creatively, and physically. Whether it is through an elaborate NYC playground or nostalgic games like Kick the Can and Ghost in the Graveyard, we as parents need to provide an outlet for our children to express themselves and learn.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
From PLAY Day to PAY Day
As a mother and advocate for creative, unstructured play, I have noticed that the most proclaimed benefits of unstructured play are of physical dimension (i.e. weight loss, cardiovascular health, muscle building, etc.). But there is so much more to be gained on a social and mental level from creative play, and these additional benefits are often overlooked.
Engaging in outdoor play (and creative play in general), allows children to experience a number of real-life, societal roles such as leader, follower, negotiator, decision maker, problem solver, and more. By learning the qualities and expectations of each at a young age, children naturally become more prepared for these roles as adults in the workplace.
When children grow up, they encounter basic problems like, “If I cut here will it fit here?” or “How can I stop the glue from dripping?” As they progress, children begin to seek solutions to more challenging problems. These series of “challenges” build upon each other as the child gets older, each one preparing them for the next, eventually transferring over into adulthood.
Through backyard play children are able to enact different roles and to learn valuable skills such as how to negotiate with their peers and to create new rules. Unstructured play also provides children with circumstances in which they have to solve spontaneous problems that arise. Possessing these skills is just as important (if not more so) than having “natural smarts” when it comes to achievement.
I believe that parents realize the value of unstructured and imaginative backyard play extends much further than its physical benefits. This type of play can offer a child something so unique and valuable—the tools to ensure a productive and bright future—and it would be a shame to pass that up!
-MB
Engaging in outdoor play (and creative play in general), allows children to experience a number of real-life, societal roles such as leader, follower, negotiator, decision maker, problem solver, and more. By learning the qualities and expectations of each at a young age, children naturally become more prepared for these roles as adults in the workplace.
When children grow up, they encounter basic problems like, “If I cut here will it fit here?” or “How can I stop the glue from dripping?” As they progress, children begin to seek solutions to more challenging problems. These series of “challenges” build upon each other as the child gets older, each one preparing them for the next, eventually transferring over into adulthood.
Through backyard play children are able to enact different roles and to learn valuable skills such as how to negotiate with their peers and to create new rules. Unstructured play also provides children with circumstances in which they have to solve spontaneous problems that arise. Possessing these skills is just as important (if not more so) than having “natural smarts” when it comes to achievement.
I believe that parents realize the value of unstructured and imaginative backyard play extends much further than its physical benefits. This type of play can offer a child something so unique and valuable—the tools to ensure a productive and bright future—and it would be a shame to pass that up!
-MB
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Time to Play
I recently received the latest issue of Time magazine and was immediately drawn to the cover article titled, “The Case Against Summer Vacation.” The article discussed the negative impact that “summertime” is having on students and claims that summer vacation is an outdated ritual from the farming days that offers no intellectual benefits today.
The author was vehemently opposed to any type of summer break, claiming, “When American students are competing with children around the globe who may be spending four weeks longer in school each year, larking through summer is a luxury we can't afford. What's more, for many children — especially children of low-income families — summer is a season of boredom, inactivity and isolation.”
As a parent of two young kids and a proponent of unstructured playtime and its many benefits, this statement did not sit well with me. Summer is not merely an opportunity to perfect “larking” skills, but rather a more relaxed time in which children can explore other avenues of learning and playing without their parents having to “break the bank.” Exercising physically is just as important as exercising mentally, and summer vacation affords children a wonderful opportunity to do both in ways they cannot do in school.
For example, summer may well become the only time in which children can exercise because according to the Journal of School Health, only 3.8% of elementary schools provide daily physical education and already, 22% of schools do not require students to take any physical education classes.
In addition, while mandating that students enroll in school all-year-round may increase standardized test scores, allowing children to be carefree and creative from June through August heeds far greater intellectual and social benefits. Participating in unstructured play has the ability to foster leadership, problem solving, and negotiation skills in a way that cannot be taught by sitting at a desk all year.
Summer can definitely be a time for learning and expanding kids’ minds, but rather than sitting indoors learning geometry for five hours, they should also have the opportunity to experience first-hand how to work with others, create games and negotiate rules by engaging in unstructured, backyard play. Classic nostalgic games such as Kick the Can, Treasure Hunt, and Ghost in the Graveyard are great outlets for kids of all ages to learn to creatively work together, while still having fun.
More companies than ever before are implementing “summer hours” in order to provide employees with more vacation time. If we, as working adults, appreciate and reap the benefits associated with summer breaks, why would we strive to take this away from our children?
The author was vehemently opposed to any type of summer break, claiming, “When American students are competing with children around the globe who may be spending four weeks longer in school each year, larking through summer is a luxury we can't afford. What's more, for many children — especially children of low-income families — summer is a season of boredom, inactivity and isolation.”
As a parent of two young kids and a proponent of unstructured playtime and its many benefits, this statement did not sit well with me. Summer is not merely an opportunity to perfect “larking” skills, but rather a more relaxed time in which children can explore other avenues of learning and playing without their parents having to “break the bank.” Exercising physically is just as important as exercising mentally, and summer vacation affords children a wonderful opportunity to do both in ways they cannot do in school.
For example, summer may well become the only time in which children can exercise because according to the Journal of School Health, only 3.8% of elementary schools provide daily physical education and already, 22% of schools do not require students to take any physical education classes.
In addition, while mandating that students enroll in school all-year-round may increase standardized test scores, allowing children to be carefree and creative from June through August heeds far greater intellectual and social benefits. Participating in unstructured play has the ability to foster leadership, problem solving, and negotiation skills in a way that cannot be taught by sitting at a desk all year.
Summer can definitely be a time for learning and expanding kids’ minds, but rather than sitting indoors learning geometry for five hours, they should also have the opportunity to experience first-hand how to work with others, create games and negotiate rules by engaging in unstructured, backyard play. Classic nostalgic games such as Kick the Can, Treasure Hunt, and Ghost in the Graveyard are great outlets for kids of all ages to learn to creatively work together, while still having fun.
More companies than ever before are implementing “summer hours” in order to provide employees with more vacation time. If we, as working adults, appreciate and reap the benefits associated with summer breaks, why would we strive to take this away from our children?
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
But We Don’t Have a Coach!
One day, I suggested to my son and his friends that they go over to the field at our nearby park and start a baseball game. “But we can’t,” one of them replied, “We don’t have a coach.” At first I thought the kids were joking, but then I realized they were serious.
Today, children are participating in so many organized sports that they simply don’t have time to play. These kids are playing competitively at much younger ages, allowing them to filter into the already 7 million kids competing at the high school level, according to Orthopedics Society of America. What happened to children just wandering outside and starting a game of kickball or softball on their own with their neighborhood friends?
As parents, we can’t let over zealous coaches and the “will to win” get the best of our kids. We need to relish in the fact that it is okay to just go outside and play! In fact, the entire month of June was dedicated to the “No Child Left Inside” movement in Illinois, which aims to get kids off the couch and away from the TV in order to enjoy playing outside.
Backyard play gives children far more than just a few hours of exercise. By interacting with kids of all ages, children learn many great leadership skills like negotiation and creativity.
It’s vital that families encourage kids to go outside and play with their peers or even make up a new game that they can teach the neighborhood. Because in the end, our children don’t remember how many games they won or lost, but rather the friendships and memories they made while they were simply having fun playing outside.
And by the way, Project Play is currently on a quest to identify “Chicago’s Favorite Backyard Game.” Throughout June, July, and August, we’ll be polling kids and collecting votes, so don’t hesitate to cast your vote on this very blog. In September, we’ll be announcing the winner, so stay tuned.
Today, children are participating in so many organized sports that they simply don’t have time to play. These kids are playing competitively at much younger ages, allowing them to filter into the already 7 million kids competing at the high school level, according to Orthopedics Society of America. What happened to children just wandering outside and starting a game of kickball or softball on their own with their neighborhood friends?
As parents, we can’t let over zealous coaches and the “will to win” get the best of our kids. We need to relish in the fact that it is okay to just go outside and play! In fact, the entire month of June was dedicated to the “No Child Left Inside” movement in Illinois, which aims to get kids off the couch and away from the TV in order to enjoy playing outside.
Backyard play gives children far more than just a few hours of exercise. By interacting with kids of all ages, children learn many great leadership skills like negotiation and creativity.
It’s vital that families encourage kids to go outside and play with their peers or even make up a new game that they can teach the neighborhood. Because in the end, our children don’t remember how many games they won or lost, but rather the friendships and memories they made while they were simply having fun playing outside.
And by the way, Project Play is currently on a quest to identify “Chicago’s Favorite Backyard Game.” Throughout June, July, and August, we’ll be polling kids and collecting votes, so don’t hesitate to cast your vote on this very blog. In September, we’ll be announcing the winner, so stay tuned.
-MB
Friday, April 30, 2010
Get Them Out to Play This Summer
Summer is here and it's time to get the kids out to play. Spend an evening talking about the great games you played with your neighborhood friends. See if your kids know the rules to these games or what games they do like to play. The inspiration to play can come from anywhere but this important tradition is one that every kid needs to experience.
Today, with organized sports, academic pressures and scheduled activities, kids are not out playing like we did in the past. They are losing the opportunity to learn to be creative and negotiate with their peers - skills that they will take into adulthood.
Perhaps most disturbing are the statistics that in the last 30 years obesity rates for children ages 2-5 have doubled and for children ages 6-11 have tripled. Children need to spend some time getting outside and moving. It takes them away from the television and the refrigerator and gives them the opportunity to enjoy the fresh air.
As parents, we need to stop the madness and recognize that it is okay to have downtime and just play. So make a commitment this summer to give your kids time without television, videos and distractions. Get them inviting some friends over and get them out to play.
Today, with organized sports, academic pressures and scheduled activities, kids are not out playing like we did in the past. They are losing the opportunity to learn to be creative and negotiate with their peers - skills that they will take into adulthood.
Perhaps most disturbing are the statistics that in the last 30 years obesity rates for children ages 2-5 have doubled and for children ages 6-11 have tripled. Children need to spend some time getting outside and moving. It takes them away from the television and the refrigerator and gives them the opportunity to enjoy the fresh air.
As parents, we need to stop the madness and recognize that it is okay to have downtime and just play. So make a commitment this summer to give your kids time without television, videos and distractions. Get them inviting some friends over and get them out to play.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Use Inspiration to Keep Playing All Winter
As the weather turns cold, the ability to get out and play diminishes for kids. It becomes easy to spend their time behind the computer or in front of the television. Backyard games like “kick the can” and “ghost in the graveyard” are shelved until next spring.
Although there may be opportunities to play on a beautiful snowy day or that odd afternoon when the temperature warms up, the chances become more limited. Getting together with the neighborhood gang can be more challenging when everyone is inside.
With a little inspiration, however, kids can get their friends playing and use the indoors to create new games. Here are just a few ideas to get the kids playing this winter.
Blankets to Forts: Take the blankets out of the linen closet and let your kids invite friends over for a fort-making bonanza. With a few folding chairs, some cardboard and even the cushions off the old couch, the kids will be busy for a full afternoon creating tunnels and forts.
Board Game Tournament: Set up tables in the basement and pull out those board games that are stacked in the closet. Let the kids invite friends for a tournament and watch them work out the details of who will play against whom.
Treasure Hunt: Prepare paper clues that take the kids from place to place throughout the house. Have your kids invite some friends for an afternoon hunt. You can even break into two teams, hiding two treasures to see who finds it first. To keep the action going, make the “treasure” a fun game, art project or cooking adventure.
Charades: We love a good game of charades with friends. Divide the kids into teams and have them create the clues. Mom can be the judge and time keeper to get the game going.
There are many ways to inspire the kids and get them up off the couch to create an entire afternoon of adventure. Playing games with their friends makes them use their imaginations and negotiation skills as they work together.
Marlene Byrne
Author, Project Play
Although there may be opportunities to play on a beautiful snowy day or that odd afternoon when the temperature warms up, the chances become more limited. Getting together with the neighborhood gang can be more challenging when everyone is inside.
With a little inspiration, however, kids can get their friends playing and use the indoors to create new games. Here are just a few ideas to get the kids playing this winter.
Blankets to Forts: Take the blankets out of the linen closet and let your kids invite friends over for a fort-making bonanza. With a few folding chairs, some cardboard and even the cushions off the old couch, the kids will be busy for a full afternoon creating tunnels and forts.
Board Game Tournament: Set up tables in the basement and pull out those board games that are stacked in the closet. Let the kids invite friends for a tournament and watch them work out the details of who will play against whom.
Treasure Hunt: Prepare paper clues that take the kids from place to place throughout the house. Have your kids invite some friends for an afternoon hunt. You can even break into two teams, hiding two treasures to see who finds it first. To keep the action going, make the “treasure” a fun game, art project or cooking adventure.
Charades: We love a good game of charades with friends. Divide the kids into teams and have them create the clues. Mom can be the judge and time keeper to get the game going.
There are many ways to inspire the kids and get them up off the couch to create an entire afternoon of adventure. Playing games with their friends makes them use their imaginations and negotiation skills as they work together.
Marlene Byrne
Author, Project Play
Friday, September 25, 2009
As the Evenings Get Dark
Fall is a great time of year for backyard games. The kids are back in school and they need to release energy with some "outside" play time. One of the best things about the fall is that the evenings get dark and the kids can change up from their summertime games.
This fall, I will publish KICK THE CAN, our first chapter book in paperback. The book highlights this classic game of hiding and trying to free the prisoners on base. But more than that, it highlights a game for a little older group of kids who can play in the dark - perfect for fall.
Kick the Can is a great game where the person "IT" has to find the hiding places of everyone else before anyone kicks the can. By calling out their names and hiding places, he or she captures the group. (Check out all the rules on www.projectplaybooks.com)
As with all backyard games, playing in the dark makes it even more adventurous. My kids use our front porch as base and you can hear them throughout the backyards, having fun.
If you can, get the kids out this fall to enjoy the fresh air and play in the dark. Maybe even get out in the backyard yourself and enjoy their antics.
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