Getting started

Henry Maier

My last column furnished a wide range of suggestions for activities and games to play whenever on duty. A colleague and friend called to my attention that care workers needed less a reminder of what to do with the youngsters than assistance in how to start into a new activity.

Let me try to supplement my previous column with how to get playful activities on the way.

My experience has been to try to start out with two or three play-oriented youngsters: just to start playing without discussing the scenario. Most important is to start out playing with as few directions as possible except those in hand necessary for the playfulness of the activity. For instance, if you want to create your own version of a “Batman" sequence, start right in the middle where there is a clash between Batman and the evil forces. The careworker, with much enjoyment, can assume one of the roles to get things moving and through his involvement will help the others to get engaged. The careworker has necessary items to play right at hand – such as a mask, etc.

Or the worker sits down with two or three to make a list for a scavenger hunt. But please do not talk about how much fun it would be, just have the fun of doing it. Another way to get started is to select two or three group members to set up the anticipated game, but project them right into the middle of it without having to explain the full scenario.

What about a worker engaging another worker in a game of charades and having fun while other kids join in?

Much of the play atmosphere can be fostered with early announcements such as:

COOK AND MEAL SUGGESTIONS NEEDED FOR BIG BANQUET ON TUESDAY
Leave your name and delicacy to be prepared in the suggestion box on ...

Another alternative could be that the worker wants to try what he used to do in his younger years and hopes to see if he can still do it. He might need the help of someone to coach him. He sits on the floor and tries to get into a standing position without the use of his hands, or other tricks like that.

I think the reader gets the idea of the importance of starting by DOING IT, with the needed equipment visibly at hand, rather than by talking or describing the fun (the latter usually tends to be wasted spit).

Most important, try your own ingenuity ... fail in it ... try again.