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A Quote
Well, a short video this week.
A Thought
A good friend, Ann Langis, followed through last week on a threat she made a year or so back and parked her camper at our place for the night.1 Of course we talked shop, and at one point she made this really interesting comment about the Te Ao Maori lens they are applying to play in the work she is doing with Sport NZ (and I paraphrase - this is coming from memory):
One way in which a Te Ao Maori perception of play is different is that play is seen as being all about igniting a child’s ihi - the fire that is within them - whereas when play is brought into schools it’s more about it being a vehicle for them to engage with the curriculum.
What’s your agenda for adopting play (assuming you have)? Is it a ‘better’ way for kids to learn what you want them to, or is it a vehicle for the spark that’s within all kids to come to light?
While related, the different orientation that underpins each is significant.
An Action
Think: When I observe play, do I look for the curriculum or do I look for the child’s ihi? What do I notice and respond to?
I’m aware that ‘parked’ and ‘camper’ may be triggering for a few people. Don’t worry - she’s happily cruising the South Island with her family, not involved in that shameful shitshow of an attempted insurrection at Parliament. Protest for freedom? My arse.
