11 October 2012
It wasn't the usually sunny blue sky day today. It was grey, bleak, the rains of autumn were upon us. Good weather for the ducks, raining cats and dogs and other clichés. The bells of the college still rung out at noon as always, but this time I was in the car when I heard them, through the swish swish of the windscreen wipers. As my little diamond, now affectionately named Dora the Explorer, is determined to discover everything on the ground, on the sofa, in the book case, you name it she's there. So I thought as she likes to climb, stand and explore I'd take her to "soft play" since the usual soft play of our garden was out if action due to forseen weather conditions. It's been years since I went to one of these centres, let alone with a baby, but she had fun climbing, falling over being kissed many times by two little blonde munchkins who wouldn't leave her alone. Sweet at the start, but incredibly annoying in the end. Things hadn't really changed apart from the lack of supervision by parents/guardians. It apparently now seems to be the norm to let your toddler roam and play by themselves while you sit and chat over a coffee not realising your "precious" is actually kicking and hitting a baby- MINE! Not to mention the countless ones I saw struggling to climb and crawl though tunnels with no adult help. Certainly there were also plenty being lovingly helped and encouraged by dad/mum/guardian . I was gentle with the said child, at first, looking for her parents or carer in the hope they would intervene. But nowhere to be seen. In the end I moved Erin to another area, but said child was t keen on Erin playing in mini ball pit so tried to boot her out. This time I was quite firm in telling her no and asked where her mum was, but she disappeared to terrorise another child elsewhere and also tried to go to the toilets by herself. How are children going to learn how to behave if adults are too busy catching up on the latest gossip or texting on their phones. Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but it did make me think. Are we now a population too busy to even play with our children, especially at a young age when they need guidance. Who is to blame for this attitude in society today? I understand these places are safe environments for children to play freely, but they also have to learn HOW to play. Anyway, on my way out, said child tried to follow me on a scooter thing. Only to be shouted, mmmm wrong word, screamed at by who I can only assume was her mother. I won't describe the lady (loosest term) in case I offend anyone.
That little episode upset me, and saddened me that still children of such a young age are just being left to their own devices. I've seen it in the work I've done with older ones but not this young. So when I picked up my eldest from school, the skies had cleared a little and it was dry. We had the usual conversation: "What can I do when I get home ?" Normally I would reply, that after piano practice he can go out to play before dinner. But not today. "Oh I don't know, let's do something different". And so I drove to a little secret place I know, full of horse chestnut trees and filled a bag with conquers. I should say my son loves looking for conquers. We had such fun, foraging for them, seeing who could get the biggest and playing and kicking with all the fallen leaves.
Sometimes it's just good to play......
It's Good To Play...... • Opuss № I