Parents and Children

Children and Work 3

In the school where I cover, there is a good mix of children to observe. They range from 2 years to 5 years in age, from diverse backgrounds but essentially with the same quest. Physical Activity.It is marvellous how one can induce in them a sense of responsibility, independence, concentration, all through physical work. There is this little activity called walking on the line. A big ellipse is painted on the floor, and the children are shown how to walk on it against a background of lilting mozart. The adult walks with extreme care, slowly, heel touching the toes and completes one cycle of walking. Then she quietly goes back to her seat and invites the children one by one to participate.I sat in a corner and quietly observed so as not to make the children too concious of my foreign presence. It was not required really. They were captivated by the challenge of not losing their balance while touching the heels with their toes as they walked.The children went round and round for a good 15/20 minutes, thrilled and interested. Finally there was still one child who didn’t want to leave the activity. He had not looked up once since he had begun, and was barely aware of the children going back to their chairs and that he was alone on the line.  Something within had been stirred that held him fast to walking round and round. His concentration lasted the whole while, his steps were delicately placed and his body poised as he went around slowly.For an untrained mind, this would seem a waste of play time. Well, children dont really gain anything much anyways when they just run around and scream other than letting out their energies. Here was something a child was benefitting from, quietly. He was controlling all his muscles and bones with sheer will  and power of mind. He was also directing all his energies to obey his wish to achieve the perfect result, thereby gaining satisfaction with every step. Each time he faltered, he concentrated further, tried harder in the next step. He wasnt giving up. He was working on his balance. He was controlling his emotions with the maturity of an adult and pursued perfection and grace. He trained his mind to be set on a task for a good 15 minutes.When this child finally sat down, he was easily the most content and relaxed of all children around. He seemed to be meditating quietly in his chair as all the others went about their individual activities. When he did get up, he did not amble about but went out into the garden. He is only 4 years old…There is always some work that captivates a child in this way. Different children react differently to work, and we can gauge their whole personalities…literally, just through the work they do. In turn, these activities train them, teach them without the interference/coaxing of an adult. It also reveals to us what a child is really capable of.I think work with its purpose and all, is what benefits a human soul. So a child should be no different in that sense. Luckily in my experience, I have seen children wanting to do meaning activities rather than aimless playing. They do play but always return to work…maybe out of curiosity…maybe, there’s something that fulfils them from within when they work with a purpose…Happy working!

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