Month: June 2020

The Importance of Play: Pt. 1

Jeanna GLeave a comment

I wrote the following devotional for my church last October:

One of my greatest fears is growing up. Not growing old, but growing up. I don’t fear this for just myself, but for all humankind. I’ve worked with children of all ages and backgrounds for about 18 years. Too often I have met children with adult responsibilities and concerns. They do not have the freedom to play, which is counterproductive, in my humble opinion, because play is one of the best learning tools. Through play we socialize and work together, use our imaginations to dream up visions of our future, or practice solving problems, and we always learn better when we’re having fun. I’m afraid that children are experiencing a loss of innocence at younger and younger stages, thereby nipping in the bud any chance of a playful childhood, and therefore a more optimistic future.

The Bible tells us in Mark 9:36-37 that children are a gift from God and we should cherish and care for them as best we can. What also scares me is that the adults who are caring for these children have forgotten how to play. How can we teach what we no longer know?

I was gifted with what is referred to as a free-range childhood; my friends and I rode our bikes all over town (no helmets!), stomped our way down the brook, danced silly routines at the bus stop for the passing cars, built forts in the trees, and we’d play kickball in the back until the dinner bell rang. I know a lot of adults who say their childhood was similar, but ‘these days and these kids just aren’t the same.’ But can’t they be? Are our own perceived fears of technology, crime, or injury getting in the way of play? Teach the children how we used to play. If you’re reading this, you survived, so you can’t have done anything that bad. Have faith that they will survive, too.

God gifted me with a career path that leads me to children who are desperate for a lot of things, but among them are time and resources to play, and to be a kid with no responsibilities other than to have fun. I get to play every day, and what a blessing it is to see children behaving like children. All of you adults out there can receive my blessings, too. But first, you need to nurture your own imaginations and silliness. God tells us in Matthew 18:2-4 to think and act like children; be humble, happy, and full of love. Whether you have a child to play with, or not, it is okay to go out and play. The world sure can use the gifts of play, like laughter, friendship, cooperation, creativity, altruism, and appreciation for the here and now.

If you could teach and play with a child any game from your childhood, what would it be?

Sharing is Caring

Jeanna G2 Comments

When we first moved to town, before buying the house I grew up in, we rented a house next to a family that became and remains close friends of ours. They had a daughter that was about my age, so naturally we played together often. When we bought our house around the corner and down the road, we still made our way back to their house to play on a regular basis. In the summers, they participated in a program called the Fresh Air Fund. Two young children from New York City would travel to our rural town to live with their host family, our friends, for the summer. My parents followed their lead and welcomed a young girl to live with us for a summer. I anticipated their arrival with a buzz of energy because I knew how the increase in group size would spur fresh dynamics that harnessed a lot of potential for game play!

The mission of the Fresh Air Fund is to transform limited opportunity into limitless potential for the underserved children of NYC. I wasn’t aware of this at the time, but my experiences with these children was my introduction to racial inequity. I remember how excited and nervous the children were in some of their new experiences with us. What do you mean you’ve never swum in a pond before? What do you mean you’ve never rolled down the side of a grassy hill before? What do you mean you’ve never stomped through a brook or walked through the woods or caught fireflies before? I took my advantages and opportunities for granted. I still do.

I offer up prayers of thanksgiving and gratitude, and prayers for those in need. My life’s work has revolved around helping the young and underprivileged gain skills and knowledge to achieve their goals. And so maybe I’m doing better than some of my privileged white counterparts in the awareness department, but I cannot become complacent, because there is always more to do and more to give.

I’m hopeful that, in light of recent events, more white people, myself included, will come to terms with their white identities. They will do some digging, uncover some truths, and let in some light. And then they will begin to share. And I don’t necessarily mean opening the doors to our homes to welcome in children from the city (although I highly recommend it!). I mean to share the kinds of things that are replenished and multiplied through the act of sharing: kindness, joy, knowledge, experiences, time, and friendship.

It’s past time for a season of change. It’s past time for those of us who have been breathing freely, stagnant as the air may be, to throw open the doors in our minds, because everyone can benefit from fresh air.

What gifts can you share? How can you help to level the playing field for all humankind? What opportunities and privileges have you taken for granted throughout your life?