On 9 July 2009, an amazing lady named Aysdele Nzinga came to speak to my class. She spoke quite powerfully, with the command over words like Zeus wielding lightning bolts, about the work she does in Oakland, teaching youths literacy through performance. It seemed like all her words were super charged, but none electrified me like the word "play"... especial how she used it. It was interesting to call the "work" she does as "play". And one of her two rules is that everyone at the facility must all play.
This got me thinking about a video game I used to play in middle school called Zeus, a computer city building game. I could click the people walking through my virtual city streets and they would say such interesting things. Travellers would ask for the safe guidance of Aeolus to go back home. Market sellers would praise the fine goods in the agoras. And the philosophers said many things, but one that really suck with me was "One hour of play can tell more about a person than a year of conversation."
I guess its weird to think about till quotes from a video game, but I found them witty and inspiring. Is there any truth in the philosophers statement? I don't think the scenario would play out logically true, but there is a point that can be derived. The act of "playing" is much more powerful than just talking.
Given the circumstances, a year of conversation is not very likely to happen between me as a volunteer and the kids I will be working with. It would be awkward if I asked a bunch of questions anyways... trying to keep a long conversation going. Lol I just imagined myself putting a student through some mini inquisition or the kid giving me a sour face and saying that I was a weird creeper stalker. That would be bad bad. I think the best way to create a bond between myself and the kids would be through the power of play. And after that bridge connects the two sides, a growth on both sides may ensue. Hopefully, "play" can create the trust and connection for me to be seen as a role model and a fellow person to learn from.
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Hi Rich,
I definitely hear you on this concept of play and its importance. Working in the kindergarten class the other day, I realized how with the younger kids, learning and playing are totally intertwined. Different aspects of skill building, knowledge infusing, and exploring cornerstone concepts has to be delivered in the format of play. Wow, does it seem effective. Any time I tried to just straight out tell a kid about something it seemed less well received than if the idea was illustrated in some sort of game. I realize that Dave engages us with a kind of 'adult play' in which we're constantly learning through all his activities. I'm so glad for us that the four hours is not filled with rote memorization. Play on.
-Wes
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