This week, The Atlantic magazine released an article entitled, “How Goofing Off Helps Kids Learn,” an apt piece to publish during the month of July: https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2017/07/goofing-off-is-good/533427/ The article’s author, Lea Waters, underscores the value of goofing off, which, Waters asserts, serves to enhance our children’s focus and to improve brain processing, and she cites several scientific studies to support her position. I use the word "play," but Waters might disapprove, as she is careful to distinguish personal pursuits, termed “good goofing off,” from activities that pull our children into the external world, such as texting or chatting with friends.
Of course, play is not just reserved for the summer months but is an important source of learning during all twelve months of the year. As a mom, I know this to be true. I have witnessed it in my own children.
My oldest son picks up a yo-yo when he needs a break and literally loses himself in the spinning and intricate tricks. After years of practice, he is not focused on the motions and techniques; he is literally hitting the “refresh” button, recharging his batteries. While his yo-yo spins – on and off its string – he is allowing thoughts and ideas to take shape in his mind. Although he is “playing,” he most definitely is “thinking.”
My younger son spends his downtime by seeking out physical exercise, often in the form of a run or a bike ride, and by taking and editing photos. These pursuits are fun for him, but they too serve to enhance his classroom learning and to afford him a needed escape from his work. While he may not always be “thinking” about classwork during his playtime, he is often engaged in contemplating his goals or in seeking an understanding of the world around him.
Teenagers and adults generally can only sustain attention for 20 minutes, as Waters explains. When your child disappears in his or her room for four hours to complete homework, study breaks will and should occur. My husband and I always knew when our oldest son was taking a study break, because we would hear his yo-yo crash on the hardwood floor in his room. Once we got beyond our concerns that he would break a window, we gained an understanding of the critical importance of his pastime.
Encourage your children to play all year long, and if you are interested, check out this video of my children playing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwSe7E6t5BY