Let's Go Play

My days of endless summer as a youngster are but distant memories. When did I grow up and become so "busy"? When did I stop taking time to smell the roses or jump in mud puddles? How, as a busy, working mother, can I instill the love of God's creation and the desire to create, imagine and play in my little girl? These are questions that I have pondering the last few days.

 I was speaking to a friend the other day about how difficult it is to have my first graders create original or semi-original stories/writing. Sure, I believe children innately have imaginations, however if they are not fostered appropriately, they lose originality and an overall sense of quality.The majority of my students base all of their writing off of video/computer games or cartoons they watch on television...and don't get me started on some of the movies and television they wish to write about. It breaks my heart to see the imaginations of these young children being stunted when at this point in their lives they should be coming up with amazing characters and wild adventures. How do I keep the whimsy and creativity of childhood in my own children so that they don't fall victim to the unimaginative or unoriginal?

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These thoughts crept into my head as I was busily working on a wedding cake pop order for Saturday. There is much to do when you have 250 cake pops to bake, form, chill, dip, decorate and package. G has been at the sitter this week so that I can accomplish this task without her ending up covered in chocolate and sprinkles...after all, she is sweet enough already.

 

With all of these thoughts running through my mind, I finally decided to stop being busy. I finished up my task and informed my husband that it was time to go get the baby...and that he needed to put on his tennis shoes. We were going outside to play.

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We take G outside often, especially with the weather being so amicable. However, today I had this overwhelming sense of urgency to get her out beyond our yard. My husband and I decided to take her on a local walking trail to enjoy the great outdoors. Despite the humidity, the venture was quite pleasant.

 The honeysuckle was blooming everywhere and the scent was intoxicating. Everything was so green and the trail was teaming with wildlife. In fact, I was startled by an adventurous squirrel that bolted out along the path.

 

 

G adored the wildlife as evidenced by her laughter and shouting as she pointed to birds that flew across our path and the rabbits that jumped into the bushes. My heart was overjoyed as I watched her senses, one by one, become captivated with the world around her.

I just kept thinking, "this is how I make that difference." I must engage her and allow her to experience the world around her...get her outside the four walls of our home. I must guide her in imaginative play to create a foundation for her own creative thinking.

It is my wish for my daughter to love the outdoors (and if for some reason she doesn't, it won't be because she did not get the opportunity or encouragement to do so.) I wish for her mind to have endless limits in creativity and imagination. It is my wish that she get dirty and climb trees and sing at the top of her lungs. It is my wish that she experience the goodness of this world so that when tragedy or disappointment befall her, she will remember that life has more to offer and that beauty can come from ashes.

While this all may seem a bit much from the mother of a one year old, do know that this comes from a mother who knows that her one year old will not stay one forever and that the foundations I begin to set for her now will greatly influence her outlook and interactions in the future. By all means, please join me and let's go play!

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