Can inclusive play reduce educational disparities?
This is a question I was left with after the Playworks gathering the other night. Playworks coaches and Playworks trainings for teachers and educational professionals focus on inclusivity and affirmation as much as they do on the games themselves. Because, really, what is "playful" about games that put down or leave out others? This has me thinking about the role of play in a whole new light. I know that racial disparities in educational achievement are very real, and particularly in Minnesota, are destroying the potential for a healthy community and state for us all. If all of our children participated in truly inclusive and engaged play throughout their education (and out in our communities), how would that ripple throughout their lives and our society? What would this play look like? How would we be challenged to change?
Comments
I think this is a really
I think this is a really interesting question and relates to what the representative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation said, that she saw school becoming less and less fun as her kids got older. Thinking back on my own experience, this was true for inclusion and engagement as well as fun. And who wants to go somewhere everyday where you feel excluded and disengaged? Unless you were someone who was good at school, which usually correlated to having parents who could be there to support that, school was a very frustrating and alienating place. Just as Playworks tries to make sure there is at least one part of the day that is fun for the students, it also tries to make sure there is at least one part of the day where students can look forward to being included and engaged. I think that has ripple effects for the rest of the day as well (which i think relates to the interesting correlation between Playworks and less bullying). Though this is not to say that there isn't a lot of work that needs to be done on our educational structures from gifted and talented programs to making sure that every student sees their history and experience reflected in the subjects they are taught.
Inclusive play and educational disparities
Rachel - your question gets at the heart of the matter. It is up to adults to create an atmosphere in our schools where every child see themselves engaged and connected to their peers and the community. The playground can either begin to build barriers or help to eliminate them.
By creating an environment on the playground that models behavior we want to see though out the school allows every child to become engaged in play - and making sure that there are games on the playground that allows those children who might be less athletic to still be active and enjoy games - we will create a more inclusive environment for students to feel like they belong - whether on the playground or in the classroom. By eliminating smaller barriers for all children to feel included - we begin to help them see that the bigger barriers - such as economic and racial - can also be overcome.
Global Play: How healthy play bridges cultural differences
I came across this short and simple story that captures the power of play in bridging barriers. It's a good reminder of the universal language games share. Enjoy.
http://www.playworks.org/blog/global-play
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