CHILD'S PLAY

Serious work

Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood. (Fred Rogers)

Well, the afternoon at ReDiscover in LA with grandson Felix sure felt like child's play to me.

Loose, free, uninhibited, joyful...this was my experience. But, clearly, Felix was taking this as serious learning.

Felix walked into this great center with great intent. He knew just what he wanted to start with--making a water container from plastic cups. He wanted a lid that opened and shuffled around in the craft room until he found the parts her thought would work. And they did!

Meanwhile, i just played quietly at his side kind of wondering who was the "child" here.

When water container was finished (and it was very well done) Felix moved on to making a chassis from binder clips and other office supplies. Then came goggles made from plastic egg cartons. Last, he took to making a small succulent planter from a cork and a few other strange things.

Some of the fun and the work

I had a wonderful time watching him, filled with joy, but Mr. Rogers was correct in his assessment--this was definitely serious learning! I may have been playing, but this young man was not.