As part of our Podcast Series, “Children’s Rights in Action”, we spoke with Gerry Flanagan of Shifting Sands Theatre, and our own Katie Logie to explore the lifelong benefits and impact of Article 31 of the UNCRC (The right to play, rest and leisure).
You can catch up on on our latest episode, “Why Should Adults Play?” via https://anchor.fm/childrensparliament or anywhere you get your podcasts. You can also read a little more about Gerry’s thoughts below:
“We have fun and learn through play. We connect with and make friends though play. We find, we remember who we are, we are ourselves when we play. It’s authentic. It is not something that is allowed just to “let off steam.” Play allows us, encourages us to take risks. It’s boring to play safe. Play awakens and gives full rein to the imagination which is the root of creativity. Play is not just something for the young. It has nothing to do with age.
“We don’t stop playing when we get old. We get old because we stop playing.” – Benjamin Franklin
Play is not chaos. Play requires rules. Adherence to the rules enables us to make discoveries, allows us to be free, allows us to play. Play begins with logical, consecutive thought processes, clear understanding and then encourages surprises. Play blossoms with lateral thinking, thinking out of the box.
What is a surprise? Something we didn’t see coming? Why? Because we were seeing/thinking in “that” way. And we have to let go, to drop that perspective, what we know, to be free, to make discoveries, find new ways to do things. Spontaneity arrives!
If we want to learn something new it’s good to clear the mind, be fresh and be open. This involves accepting that we know nothing, are keen to discover and learn, not just to fit new experiences into what we already know/how we see the world. We cannot learn, we cannot discover, we cannot play, if we believe there is nothing left for us to learn. Play and spontaneity opens the door to wonder. Let’s go in!”
“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” – Plato
“Do not train children to learn by force and harshness, but direct them to it by what amuses their minds.” – Plato
“Philosophy begins in wonder.” – Plato
Gerry’s recommendations for further reading/interest:
Katie’s recommendations for further reading/interest:
