We are in my favourite month- January! Janus is the Roman god of gates and doorways- depicted with a head looking both ways. This of course is highly appropriate and signifies our need to both look ahead and behind at this time. For me it is a month of refection, goal setting, heat, holiday programs with new children, opportunities to catch the breath and above all PLAY! In this 43 degree heat we cannot do too much other than rest, reflect and play!
As I sit outside typing this I can hear the fire engines rushing up Great Eastern Highway to the hills and I am concerned for my friends who live in the beautiful but rather dangerously, dry forest!
Children learn how to live through play and so do we!
“In play a child always behaves beyond his average age, above his daily behaviour. In play it is as though he were a head taller than himself.” Lev Vygotsky
We so often forget the importance of this play for children and I am determined it will be a part of all our programs at ICE this year. We have structured, purposeful learning but delivered in a multisensory,, hands-on and playful way whenever possible and the same goes for our courses for educators and organisations. We ALL learn more when we play!
So- how have you played this week? I have escaped with a great Susan Howatch book and been to the beach and both activities have renewed me and helped me relax and grow.
Why not join me and program in playtime for each week and indulge in some favourite pursuits and even discover a hobby? (What an old-fashioned work that is becoming- sadly!)
And- above all- if you are a parent or teacher- allow time for play and playful learning! You will have happier, better balanced children who learn more and retain what they have learned.
Let’s declare A regular PLAYTIME for all in 2014!
