Let the children have their way
Let the children play
Let the children play
Carlos Santana / Leon N Patillo
‘Let the children play’ is a sentiment very close to my heart at the moment.
Children of Ukraine
Events in Ukraine serve to focus my thoughts on children where their previously safe world has suddenly been disrupted and they are currently living in fear of their lives. Where ever there is war in the world, children are suffering.
Children drawn into the Web
I also feel concern for the development of children who spend much of their time on screens. The online environment, by default, is not safe and constantly bombards children with diverting or stressful content. Overuse of technology by children means missing out on important emotional, social and motor skills development, and opportunities to build resilience. They will be missing important opportunities of learning how to cope in real life.
Safe, nuturing spaces
If we want a healthy society for our future, we need to provide a safe and social environment where children can play together and explore being in their bodies. Where they are able to learn through their own curiosity, discover their creativity, enjoy a sense of freedom and love of nature.
(Photo by Vitolda Klein on Unsplash)
Back to the garden
One of my favourite children’s stories is The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde. It’s a real tear-jerker and strongly evokes the joy of children at play.
“He saw a most wonderful sight. Through a little hole in the wall the children had crept in, and they were sitting in the branches of the trees. In every tree that he could see there was a little child. And the trees were so glad to have the children back again that they had covered themselves with blossoms, and were waving their arms gently above the children’s heads.”
The children taught the giant about the beauty in the natural world and the gift of caring for and sharing with others. His heart melted and he was able to change his selfish ways.
Let’s all knock down the walls of oppression and let the children play.
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