smata-note: play
Johan Huizinga wrote
“Culture does not create play; play creates culture”
And
“Play is not something we do; it is who we are.”
There is no question that play is the primary means through which people learn. What I see in these ideas of Huizinga’s is that learning through play is learning which occurs when students are able to connect with and explore who and what they are. It is not something that is ‘done’.
If we agree with Huizinga I think his ideas force us to see education as a human question, which makes it a moral one. The question is, Is it right if education suppresses the connection with and exploration of who students are and want to be?
But there is also another, potentially more exciting question here too. What type of culture is created in contexts where play does not exist or is discouraged?
There is no live-chat this week as I am travelling. However, feel free to comment on this post any time during the week and I will respond when I can.
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