Truth in Play

I am a big advocate for play. I think it crucial to the way children develop socially, emotionally, and cognitively. It allows children to express what they may not be able to during direct one-on-one conversation, and provides teachers/parents/child specialists a chance to glimpse the world of a child, as evidenced by a particular conversation in my classroom.

During Free Centers, it is not uncommon for my students to involve me in their imaginative play. One of my boys, who I have mentally nicknamed Warrior, decided he wanted to be a bad robot.

"Ms.S, I'm going to kill you."

"Really, why?"

"Because I am a bad robot."

"Why are you a bad robot? Why not be a good robot?"

"I don't know. I'm just bad. Maybe I came from a bad factory."

Now, many people would have flipped out after hearing his initial statement, given the current climate from recent events. But I know how little boys play, and more importantly, I know this kid, so I didn't take it as a threat, but a compliment. He felt comfortable enough with me to include me in his play, to invite me into his world, which for this little boy is a big deal. But this conversation did confirm that there is much turmoil under his clam, quiet everyday demeanor. My heart aches for him, and all I can do is continue to love him and pray that he comes to understand that he is not a bad robot, no matter what the other voices in his life say.