Doing, Thinking, Playing: The Triumvirate of Education

The three powerhouses of the classroom: doing, thinking and playing. Together they form the basis of all learning. The more we actively access new ideas and mold them to fit our schema the more integral they become. Elasticity, malleability and flexibility all qualities of a good foundation. Building models, analyzing their importance and then manipulating them to be both relevant and purposeful for ourselves. This is the way information is processed. In order for curiosity and inspiration to lead us down new paths we must be able to understand the way we think. They way we see the world. We need to be able to act out and alter our frame of mind, seize new opportunities without fear of failure but with an anticipation of it. To take risks in order to find our "calling" our passion and our zone of knowledge. An ever growing expanse of creativity, practice, reflection and application. A true triumvirate of personal growth and fortitude.

Students are the doers, the thinkers, the active, authentic instigators of play and fun. Without play learning would be very uneventful and stagnate. Often the word play, in a classroom setting, brings with it a feeling of chaos, lack of focus, off-task behavior, especially in regards to junior high. When in actuality when incorporated with other aspects of learning it is the culmination of synthesis and understanding. It is how young children make sense of their world, how babies begin to learn mobility and strength and for some reason as we enter adolescence it becomes less important. As adults we often forgo play when we need it most. Yes, meditation can help relax us and reading or painting may help us enjoy our week but getting in the dirt and playing outside is what really makes the difference. Letting loose and for at least a little while feeling young and vigorous, free spirited is all it takes to re-center us and re-focus us. Jump in a puddle, fly a kite, play a board game, just be in the moment and be childish. This is what reconnects us with our spirit.

In the classroom children need to be the ones creating the lessons, implementing the activities, collaborating and helping others. They are the thinkers, the teachers, the owners of the classroom. They need to feel that. When they are given opportunities of choice- to think, write, reflect or play, tinker, create they will choose what is right for them. What box? I always say that in class. "People say, think outside the box, I say what box?" The only limits are your boundaries that you set for yourself. If you are open-minded and confident then the classroom is literally a space in which you bend and manipulate to travel to and experience anything. Let the walls be your tether and venture off to endless places, awesome adventures, journey's of discovery. Laugh, participate and learn. Do, think, play. Be yourself and others will follow your lead.