Child Learning Game

Learning without realizing the lesson in being taught

It’s wonderful how children can learn a life skill without realizing the lesson is even being taught. And they can hone that life skill with just a bit of extra practice – and have fun in the process! I remember a children’s party that a friend of mine gave for one of her sons. He was turning five years old, and parents of children that age tend to compete with each other to entertain their children at these parties, sometimes going to excessive lengths.

My friend, however, had a fantastic idea – to let the children have loads of fun, and to teach them valuable a valuable life skill in the process. All she did was get a pile of flattened cardboard boxes from the grocery store – and that was all the kids needed! It was so wonderful to see their imaginations running riot – you cannot believe the games those boys came up with that afternoon. They didn’t realize that a life skill lesson was being taught – they just climbed in and had a party! Firstly, they had to (unconsciously) show the life skill of co-operation. Together, they had to assemble these boxes, either leaving one end open, or joining a whole lot together, to get the game going.

Then they had to decide and agree on the game – again a very important life skill. Being boys, they inevitably ended up with a war game. Teams were chosen and duties given – again a life skill being learnt – how to get a group of people to work together with the same goal in mind. Some were leaders, some were strategists, some were followers. But they all played a part in the end goal of the game – to beat the other team – normally by using some devious plan.

The competitive spirit of a group of five-year-olds is something to be marveled at! Sometimes, watching them, I felt that the children were the ones teaching the parents a life skill. That afternoon, they learnt as they played. Some came out of it frustrated, some came out victorious, some had to learn to accept defeat – until the next challenge. But they all learnt a life skill that would stand them in good stead for the next game, and for many games in their future lives – and for the reality of life itself.

Many years later, these same children, now young adults, are using some of those life skills learnt that hot afternoon at the party in the dunes.