Play is more than running around like a loon

I’ve found the most fantastic book for inclusion in the welikeplay library. By itself it has engrossed No1 child and me for a whole week of evenings. The Book of How is a book to be read with a growed-up around to talk too, it takes on big issue questions in a page each. Questions like “How do glow-worms light up?” are back to back with pages on “How can I make friends?”; “How can I prove video games won’t make me stupid?” goes hand in hand with “How are babies made?”.

Perhaps it’s the old teacher in me; but these questions on ‘me and my world’, and the play with ideas that they start is how children start creating and playing with their own internal philosophy. The Book of How doesn’t ever give definitive personal answers; when it talks of more faith based questions of God and life after death, it wisely talks about what believers hold. Likewise when it tackles social issues, like being accepted in social groups or thinking about justice, it doesn’t give answers - it gives strategies to try.

An inspirational book which has led me and No1 to sit up past proper bedtime discussing the nature of stuff. What could be better… perhaps getting my hands on The Book of Why.

tag... review, play for today, play, 8up, books, philosophising, stay safe