I’ve been thinking about playful adults. Before teachers and adults come out to play at Junky Monkeys, we show them our “Role of the Adult” guide. It has eight gentle reminders, one of them being PLAYFUL ADULTS. It states: “Seeing adults play is important; it may be the permission kids need to start playing themselves. This might look like pulling them on sleds, helping to create a marble run, or playing tennis with frying pans. Once play is established, look for ways to exit so children can take the lead.”
Why is it important to see playful adults?
We can be serious as hell. I take my kids to music festivals, mainly because it’s a win-win situation for the whole family – we all get to play. What I love is that my kids get to see adults having fun. Yesterday I danced with two friends’ kids on the dance floor, making conga lines and tunnels – kids and adults delighting in play. I went to an outdoor céilí the other week and watched young and old skip around under the stars, puffed and joyous.
Think about the messages we’re sending: yes, adults can be serious, practical, and responsible – but they can also be fun, silly, joyful, and free.
There’s a fine line in play between playful adults and entertaining adults. A.J. Juliani puts it perfectly in his article “I Got It All Wrong”:
“And here’s the kicker: you don’t have to juggle flaming swords to engage learners (though if you do, please send me the video). You have to connect, design with meaning, and create space for students to discover.
What works isn’t flashy. What works is human.”
So, playful people, have I got you thinking – When do your kids/students see you playing?
Keep playing beautiful people
Some more food to fuel this thought – Here is our ROLE OF THE ADULT Guide, and here is our Top 10 Tips for the role of the adult video.
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