The Science and History Museum

I learned this amazing lesson at the children's wharf in the museum. When we first arrived they scurry from thing to thing, unable to engage. Even though we have been there many times, they have to do this dance every time.

Next comes boredom.... they have absorbed everything they can grasp at their current pace. "What can we do Mommy? I am bored!".

If I let them alone and don't try to entertain them a new stage emerges.

DEEP IMAGINATIVE PLAY

Suddenly I am outsider to their world. Complex lives now exist as the part become of the fantasy they have emerged themselves in.

I wonder why kids have lost their ability to do this? Is it because our world is so flashy and most children never have the chance to move from boredom to opportunity? Is it because as adults we are so worried about providing enriched environments that we forget to give them space to be kids? Have we given up freedom for structure and lost everything it means to be children?

They need time, and space, and tools....to do their job...PLAY.

One of my callings to homeschool is to give them big chucks of time to play. Turning off the tv and staying out of their way is a hard task for me. Getting past the boredom stage can be painful. I just try to remember that they can't get this time back.