Radically Respectful Play
Play. /plā/. Verb. *
voluntary, spontaneous, flexible, and pleasurable activity
done for its own sake, without a defined goal or outcome
involves a combination of body, object, symbol use, and relationships
Radically respectful play intentionally creates space and time for children to voluntarily and spontaneously invent and change activities that they define as fun without any guidance or interference. Some unconventional examples of play could include:
spinning in a chair for an hour
laying silently on the ground to watch ants
moving around a room sniffing or touching objects
wrestling with consenting peers
Many things that are sold as play are not actually voluntary, spontaneous, flexible, or done without an adult agenda. Well-meaning adults craft learning experiences for children, like organized sports teams, dance classes, or games (boxed and screen-based). These opportunities might be fun, but they are not play. They lack the defining elements. Instead, they are adult constructions that follow adults’ agendas.
Learn, Play, and Go keys teach shapes and sounds, Magnetiles encourage STEM learning, Melissa & Doug puzzles teach literacy concepts. US families spend over $12 billion on educational toys designed to capitalize on children’s play. However, research shows that the rampant commercialization and appropriation of play deters creativity and puts children at risk for depression, obesity, sexualization, and violence.1
In radically respectful play, adults follow the child’s lead, and they intentionally avoid the urge to control or inform the play in any way. No narrating, no teaching, no establishing rules, no asking about winners or goals. Radically respectful play resists the pressures of society to shape children to conform to social expectations and allows everyone involved to be free.
References:
*From the Encyclopedia of Early Childhood Development
1 - Linn S. (2010). The commercialization of childhood and children's well-being: What is the role of health care providers?. Paediatrics & child health, 15(4), 195–197. https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/15.4.195
