Dear Olive Branch
Topic: Making Sense of the World Through Play
When we think of play, we usually picture dolls and balls. However, we are taking it to a deeper level as we look at subtle stories about play. Playing with words, ideas, concepts and problem solving can be as much fun as playing with dolls and balls, especially as we get older.
In our story about caring for the tortoise, the children immediately connected to the problem of how to provide the tortoise with the care he needed. Problems to solve provide opportunities for creative thinking, working together with others, and the satisfaction of making something work or making something better. Since play can be defined as an enjoyable activity, the opportunities listed here certainly fall into that realm. In this case compassion was also a significant aspect since the children were certainly concerned about their friend, the tortoise.
The second story about manhole covers is a good example of the playful process for the creator and the player. This creative process included observation of a unique interest, problem solving around picking the right materials, expanding the product, and successful engagement of the child.
The last story is an example of how silliness emerges spontaneously sometimes, with adults and children. Playing with the wagons made the work more enjoyable and sharing the game brought the volunteers closer.
The Tortoise Needed Care: Playing Together with the Problem
The tortoise’s name was Tortuga and he was very special. He was an endangered Desert Tortoise who lived at the Cal State Fullerton Children’s Center. Unfortunately, he developed an infection in his leg, and in spite of all the good care given, the veterinarian ultimately decided that the leg had to be amputated. So, it was, and then the tortoise had to be very carefully tended to be certain that the wound healed safely and correctly.
Because the four-year-olds in the Sunshine Room were the elders at the Children’s Center, they were to be the caretakers. Tortuga arrived back at the Center after surgery and came to the Sunshine Room where he was eagerly welcomed by one and all. The teacher explained that he needed extra special care due to his surgery and that the Sunshiners would be the ones to manage his care until he was healed and could go back outside to the play yard.
Upon seeing Tortuga with his bandage and hearing the importance of his needing good care, the children immediately went into problem solving mode to figure out how they could best care for him. As a group, in discussion, they decided that the best way to keep him safe was to create a hospital for him. The blocks were brought out and made into a hospital so that he could stay safe inside. Then the doll blankets and pillows were carefully placed for his use. And, finally, someone asked about what he would need to eat. After discussion of what tortoises eat, the children went to the Center kitchen and asked the cook for some lettuce. Finally, what about the tortoise going potty! Since tortoises cannot use toilets, it was decided that paper covering the carpet would have to do.
How did all this problem solving by the children come about? The teacher valued both play and children solving their own problems. Putting the two processes together, starting right out at the beginning of the school year, she set the stage to create an environment in which the children could take charge of learning to solve their problems in ways that were fun and interesting to them. Certainly, the care of an injured tortoise was of the utmost importance, so coming together to share in creating solutions was an opportunity not to be missed. They were used to discussing problems, creating ideas for solutions, and then taking action to make the ideas happen. They were used to listening to one another and creating together… at least a good deal of the time! These skills led to being able to think together; to let minds come together to create solutions bigger than by oneself. Minds playing together can be the most exciting, delightful, stimulating, and fun experiences we can share. The children experienced exactly that when they created the hospital for the care of the tortoise!
The special care of Tortuga lasted the entire week, and by the following week he was able to be outside in a special pen. He improved rapidly and lived to be a great old age. The four-year-olds had the wonderful satisfaction of caring for an injured creature, putting their skills to good work, and letting their minds “play together” for successful problem solving. [S. Hopkins]
Playing as an Adult
When I am in the process of observing children, I often get my inspiration to start a project that will allow me to play. Playing as an adult follows much the same processes as the children. It helps when I see a need, or an interest displayed by a particular child, and that idea may interest other children of similar ages. I may use my observation of children to think about the skills I need to help the children learn, by providing opportunities to practice skills. I need to allow time to brainstorm, and let the idea wander around for a while, and decide what I want to do. I will often brainstorm while walking, bicycling or swimming—just something I can think about while moving, and I can go with the flow of ideas. If something lends itself to word play, then I can work with two levels of foolery and that keeps me interested as well. Playing allows me to handle something physically, in three dimensions, instead of just the abstract world of computing.
I still need to figure out how the materials will work by experimenting with the materials. I already have “folded fabric disease,” and I have a scrap bag of fabric leftovers. When I am sewing, I need to know how the fabric drapes, or if it unravels easily. I need to know how to take care of the fabric before I use the fabric, or if I can iron it to change the wrinkles. Will the fabric survive hard play? Finding an interesting piece of fabric may be indicative of a project. Recycled clothing is cost efficient.
For my latest project, my grandson who is five, has an interest in sewers, and manhole covers. I had already been making play mats that are about 15 inches square with few loose parts, with things to manipulate that are sewn to the mat. It is a nice size for working on the floor. I started making squares with road pieces that can connect to make a longer track for cars and trucks. This time, I made a square mat with a road across one end, with a fabric tube underneath the road. Then I added manhole covers in the middle of the road, so that they can open to reveal the fabric sewer underneath. I started by making a rat, since rats live in sewers. He spent about 15 minutes figuring out how the snap worked, and I realized he didn’t know about fasteners for fabrics. Buttons, and zippers, shoestrings, Velcro and magnets now adorn the page. Now there is a second sewer system.
As usual, my playing with this as I was making it, has made it much more complex, which satisfied my sense of creativity. I needed to add more manhole covers so that I could include more fasteners. Now I need to add more surprises underneath the covers. The mat now has a life of its own. I feel productive, and I can see the results of my playing. I feel better, since doing a physical job with my hands allows me to play. [D. Satterlee]
Playing at the Food Bank
A group of us volunteer at our local food bank once a month. We fill wagons with packages of meat, produce, bread, eggs, dairy, canned and boxed goods and sweets. When cars come through the line, we load the items into the cars. As the wagons are emptied, we line them up to be filled again.
The wagons are difficult to steer, so the other day someone started giving points to those who were able to line them up without hitting people or other wagons. Suddenly we were all paying attention to the wagons and those lining them up — “Wow, lost a point for nicking another wagon!”, “Amazing that you got that wagon back in line without hitting the other wagons!”, “Wow, 2 points for getting the wagon lined up in reverse!”
We never said how many points were perfection, and no one really cared. We just enjoyed the playfulness. And I think the smiles and laughter transferred to the guests we served! [J. Daniels]
NOTE: We chose “Dear Olive Branch” as the title for this column for several reasons – foremost as a sign of peace. Also, olives come in many colors, sizes, tastes, uses – a sign of diversity just as there are many types of questions and those who send the questions. We hope Olive’s responses will help you, the reader – if you have a question for Olive, send it to our email address. When Olive isn’t available to answer questions, members of EPCC and/or P.E.A.C.E. will step up to help.
Olive’s Future Columns
We are looking for your questions and/or short stories to be considered for inclusion in the future. Word range: 150-300 words.
