PLAY
The white man has a proverb that emphasizes the importance of play: all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. It is because of this that drafters of curricula world over have always created time for the learners to play. God, in His infinite mercy and divine wisdom, created a day of rest (and play?) away from the busy weekly cycle of work, work and more work.
Play is important because through it, we reduce stress from the pressure that life lays on our path. Think of the gym to that busy company executive. And think of games, Physical Education for the hormonally-charged adolescent who defies everything that puts him in his place. For one, the games he plays in the gym keeps him from losing his head. The other one is stopped from doing something he’d live to regret forever by games.
Not all games are physical. Some are mental. These include crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles and SUDOKU. Others are like computer games – I don’t recommend this as most of them nowadays instill vices instead of virtues in our children. Parental guidance is strongly recommended.
Play enhances creativity, as one learns different ways of solving problems while at play. These solutions, applied correctly on life’s problems, could solve many issues. One of the problems is lack of team spirit. Playing in groups answers that.
Lastly, play is a career on its own right. Think of footballers and how much they earn doing what they love doing – playing. Think of coaches instructing them, tutors teaching the coaches, match officials and many others employed by the sporting world.
Then think of yourself. Being a caring parent (especially those of us from the developing world), you desire to see your child pursuing a career in the three important courses: medicine, engineering and law. You do not want to see them play, because playing is time-wasting (or so you think). Remember, minus playing, your son or daughter will be a good academic who is a dead member of society. Give children time to play because who knows – they may score good grades in their studies and gain entry into prestigious universities to pursue that prestigious course. They may also become good sportsmen and make a life playing. Let them play.
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