“Play and Learning” – Sursum Corda News October 2022
Dear Sursum Corda Mamas–
Erasmus wrote: “A constant element of enjoyment must be mingled with our studies, so that we think of learning as a game rather than a form of drudgery, for no activity can be continued for long if it does not to some extent afford pleasure to the participant.” Did he mean that time in school should be all games and entertainment? Certainly not! Renaissance scholars–like Charlotte Mason educators of today–believed in the hard work of learning. They believed it was worth it to persevere in readings that were not to our taste yet, so that with time we could gain the ability to love what is truly best. What kind of pleasure of atmosphere, then, can we offer in our homeschools, and in our classrooms, that will enable our children to keep on going? To see learning as a game, and not drudgery?
There are many answers, and many of you have taught me answers to this atmosphere conundrum! One that has my attention today is the creation of a “playful” atmosphere in which “the stakes” do not overwhelm the student, and fear is minimized. Stuart Brown, in Play, writes that “play activity is actually helping sculpt the brain. In play, most of the time we are able to try out things without threatening our physical or emotional well-being. We are safe precisely because we are just playing.” Research has confirmed that students terrified of a test–or of constant verbal criticism–shut down and are able to retain far less of what they hear. In a real game, there is always some risk of failure, but there is also a level of trust that none of it has to be taken too seriously–no one will actually die, it is only a game. How can we communicate to our children that they do not need to protect themselves from failure, but can open up their minds?
We who are charged with forming the habits of young children (obedience, attention) or of teens (time management, diligence) are sometimes tempted to raise the stakes. To tell them how terribly, terribly important all this is, and to act as if the world will end if they fail. In fact, I think we are tempted to do the same thing with ourselves, if we are honest! The strategy often backfires, as the increased pressure shuts down learning. A laugh, a challenge where failure will do no harm, a belief that we are safe in our Father’s hands and do not need to perform perfectly–these will serve us better. Christians have no need to fear. We have all the motivation in the world to try and live well, but no need to fear even death. We have a hope stored up for us which is not threatened by our failures. We have the safety to play, and to learn.
With love,
Heather (for the Board)