By JoEllen Collins
The other day I had a chance to work with small groups of young children in a class setting, and I found it a delight. I wasn’t really PLAYING with them, but it felt like it, and at the end of my time with them, I was inordinately happy. In thinking about it, “play” is part of a way young students learn at school, and normally I would not use that term when I work with upper school students. However, somehow I feel as elated after I’ve been with teenagers as well as with second or third graders. I simply like the openness of my interactions with young people.
I have been reviewing why I am so joyful about these instances. Certainly, playing with my grandchildren provides me an inexplicable sense of delight, even though I’m not very good at ice-skating, pickleball, or almost any sport requiring hand-eye coordination. Never have been. But unexpected blessings happen when I interact with them. Children instinctively know how to make a grown-up feel good.
Several months ago, I was throwing balls to my grandson on the slanted spot of grass in front of his San Francisco home. When he tossed them back, I often missed, but after I had a run of three good catches, he shouted, “Oh, Bibi Jo, you’re a natural!” That is the most unabashed, unknowing falsehood this klutz has ever heard, as I remember usually being the last kid picked on any relay team.
I also appreciate how eager children are to share almost anything with trusted adults. When I was a school’s administrative assistant, I had to pull a deep splinter out of a second-grader’s left hand. I was upset that I was hurting him, so I kept telling silly stories and assuring him that we were “getting there.” Soon I felt his right hand tap my shoulder. When I looked up, he said, “Please don’t worry. I’ve seen WORSE.” He made my day, week, and perhaps year due to his kind and sympathetic response.
I know I’ve been afraid of “play” as I have grown older and even less proficient in physical games, but now the times I spend with children remind me that I need more activity, even though it won’t be cycling or rock-climbing. I find being around younger people a miraculous way to revive the excitement and openness of youth. I’m lucky I can love, talk, comfort, and sometimes play with generations following mine. Keeps me happy.
At school lunch last week, I noticed two small boys exchanging insults and a punch or two. I went over to them and told them that when my two daughters were little and started to argue or hurt each other, I would say, “No laughing allowed” more than once, and soon they would forget the anger and reluctantly start to laugh. The boys did laugh! I believe that being around children offers a way to avoid negativity. How can I be upset when I see the smile on a dear young face?