16/12/2024
On Saturday my 9 year old went to a rollerskating party... I witnessed a transformation in that hour and a half that reminded me why play is so essential to the growth of our children's minds. He had never skated before.
I reminisced with some other parents about how we were fully professional skaters by the age of ten in the 80's/90's!! The roller discos at the local leisure centre were a core memory!! We talked about the various injuries we'd sustained, the envy about those other kids who had the in-line fancy skates while we'd had to hire the rubbish ones we had to tie to our feet! We spoke about how we had tried and failed to skate backwards! We talked about how those boys had been so good that we'd lie down in a row on the floor and they would jump over us!
But the 10 kids at the party had never skated!! They are rural kids without the access to safe streets or even a leisure centre. But still, it made us think about how much childhood has changed since 'our day'. Why have we become so out of touch with this type of play? thats probably a question for another day.
So my son was very nervous. He didn't think he could do it. He couldn't do it - he was absolutely rubbish! I spent a few laps holding him up and trying to 'teach' him how to move his feet and how to hold his own body to stay balanced. I then slowly started to let go. He went by himself. He smiled so broadly and screamed in delight at his newly discovered skill! Then he fell flat on his backside and did the splits! He got up, and tried again...and again...and again. An hour later he (and his friends) are joining in on the roller limbo activity.
The transformation in that short time was such a wonderful example about how play for the sake of it can bring about growth mindset, resilience, failure and success, and of course joy!
So much of children's play is now coached, structured, adult-led and outcome-based. It was so good to witness these wonderful children enjoying their transformation from complete novices to accomplished skaters. I loved it!
As play therapists this is the transformation we provide space for in our play rooms - what a privilege it is.
