Play and Inclusion
In fantasy play, children create and inhabit stories that are related to and informed by the experiences, questions, and norms that make up their everyday lives—or so Vivian Paley would say. In reflecting this week on the role of play and inclusion, I am inspired by the children, yes, but also by the adults in their lives and the roles that we have in helping to ensure that themes of acceptance and welcome permeate the world of play that the children construct.
In each of her books, she honors the children by giving serious considerations to play and the way it overlaps with intersectional experiences. To be an oldest in a family but youngest in a class, to be an energetic child whose appetite for play extends beyond the yet-explored themes of one’s peers, to move within the world differently and yet alongside and legitimately with others.
Play, in Paley’s perspective, is also powerful tool for social justice. Indeed, her ‘You can’t say, you can’t play,” has become a mantra for many seeking to promote harmony, acceptance, and equity within the early childhood sphere. While some may debate its utility, the phrase of itself signifies the best intentions and most notable feature of what we often attempt to imply regarding early childhood play. That is:
If play is the work, and the most meaningful work, or childhood, then an opportunity to participate in this meaningful life and work is the right of every child.
(We also might add that each child deserves access to this work, and that it should be deeply satisfying and connecting.)
Promoting Play and Inclusion:
Small practices can go a long way. Have you tried any of these?
Wondering aloud at potential roles for others in play in order that children might begin to understand the additive nature of including peers in play.
Inviting children to break free from restrictive roles (for themselves or others) so that play might continue to evolve and flow.
Encouraging or intentionally arranging play dates or small group play between children who have varying interests and working with them to find common ground and develop shared intentions.
Brief Words.
As with our actions, so too do the words we use contribute to an inclusive atmosphere in play. For example:
“Sometimes there are two moms/dads/cats/dogs/etc.”
(Allows for variation in familial composition and structure).
“What does your (character) do?”
(Does not assume or impose our role constructs on the child).
“She wants to be a superhero. She’s going to do a lot of good—look at that cape!”
“Yes, he can be the mommy. Look how helpful he is being! He learns so much from his own mommy.”
(Each of these allows for and encourages expansive roles).
“It would make your friend so happy to play with you. Maybe you can teach them about what you are playing.”
(Empowers the child and gives them a chance to make a choice about how (and even if) to incorporate a peer or friend.)
What about ‘You Can’t Say You Can’t Play’?
To be honest, as with most principles in our practice the truest answer is that “it depends”.
While we won’t get into it all in this brief post, suffice it to say that we have to balance inclusion and autonomy and get to know our children well enough to know when to push them and to give them space. Children are people too, after all.
Nonetheless, we should be careful lest our respect for children’s space facilitate or allow habitual exclusion. As parents and teachers our responsibility to to toe the often difficult line of respecting this complete human being in our care and planting seeds that will take years and years to mature.
Things don’t change or shift overnight necessarily, but by building in small practices into our days we can do a great deal of good for our children and the world.
What about you all? How do you keep play inclusive? How do you provide your child or children space to explore new themes, roles, and to interpret their ever-changing worlds through play?
Recommended Reading:
The Boy on the Beach: Building Community Through Play
A Child’s Work: The Importance of Fantasy Play
The Boy Who Would be a Helicopter
Happy Playing!
Ron