Solitary Play

"Play is the highest form of research' ~Albert Einstein

For a few months a 9 year old boy named Caine has had a video circulating about his little arcade he put together out of boxes. It's a touching video with wonderful inspiration and hope behind it.

It's has had me thinking, since the time I saw it, about solitary play, and boredom. I remember a simple phrase that a wonderful and passionate contributor to the childcare community share at a workshop I attended with her, "Children need to be given opportunities to be bored." I don't know if she realizes the impact that simple statement had on me, but it has stuck with me. Boredom promotes creativity and imagination. Children that are given these opportunities are more likely to think 'outside the box.' They are presented with more opportunities to learn through play. They are also pushed into a mode of looking for something to do themselves, something to play with, or thoughts to reflect on. They are not told what to do, play or think.

Children that are given opportunities to engage in solitary play also develop their own unique personalities and develop their own identities, it takes the pressure off. Engaging in group play is important and provides opportunities to problem solve and feed off of each other's imaginations. We are social creatures, so we thrive on interaction.  But often we forget that solitary play is as equally as important. And Boredom encourages solitary play and self reflection AND self regulation.

So back to that simple little video of Caine's creative and impressive arcade. It is an amazing creation that young boy put together, essentially out of something to do. I can't help but think that it's something impressive because it's somewhat unusual these days. In the days of multitudes of commercialized toys and games, children struggle to play in an open ended fashion. Items that promote creativity and imagination provoke learning, and spontaneity. There is no limit to the play that a child engages in.  

I've spoken of the environment being the third teacher before, and it's something I am truly passionate about. The children at Perfect Harmony are starting to get used to coming in after a weekend (or an evening of spontaneous inspiration) to a classroom that has been flipped around and back to front, and inside out. It certainly sparks the children's thinking, and allows them to look at things in a different light. It also encourages them to contribute to the layout and furniture configuration. 

So with all that in mind, boredom awaits and with it comes inspiration!!!