Letters, We Get Letters: One Reader’s Response to a MOTAL Article

The Museum of Teaching and Learning is always delighted to hear your responses to our bi-weekly articles. Readers can reply to the Email Blast and will hear back from our team. Below is one reader’s message that shares a sentimental journey. Besides informing people, articles (or museum exhibitions, books, movies) connect with people by evoking THEIR experiences.
Dear MOTAL,


The article published recently, “Yes, ‘Play’ is Good for Young . . . and Old” was about the importance of play. It made me think about my childhood, motherhood and adulthood.


Playing certainly helped develop my creative mind and a love for exploring new things. 


When I was a kid, I loved playing outside with neighborhood friends; creating playthings out of ropes, clothes pins and blankets; coloring; and building with wood, using disassembled skates as wheels. It made me think about riding bikes with friends and collecting "treasures" which were simply things that didn't seem to belong (a bottle cap, cigarette butt, something shiny, a candy paper).  Now that I think about it, those treasures were trash. Ha!  ​

One of the games my dad and I played was this: I'd sit in the passenger's footwell of the car (in the way back years before seatbelts) so I couldn't see through the windows. I’d then direct my dad home from various places. I had to consider the length of time and speed the car seemed to move, to say "turn left now."  Not only was it great fun and a chance to play with my dad, it taught me how to visualize space, direction and time.
 
In addition to teaching me to drive on country roads when I was in 4th grade (looking between the dash and top of the steering wheel), he and I also played a game where he let me shift gears while he was driving.  This made me feel grown up and also taught me how to listen to the engine speed to know when to shift. Of course, this made it a breeze when it was time to officially learn to drive as a teen.


With the exception of teaching me the color wheel, my parents had "stuff" available to explore and left me to it, with little direction. I’m going to do more of that with my grandkids, now that I'm thinking about it.  I tend to direct/teach more than letting them explore.


When I "became a grownup" I thought that meant it was time to “do business” and stop playing. I created art without talking about it or giving it value.  Art is soothing play for me, especially tactile art like weaving and working with clay. Visual art is intriguing with all of the colors, shapes, textures, and lines.

When we had our kids, I started playing again, but it was for them. Once they grew up, I stopped playing again until our daughter introduced me to swing dancing. What a playful community of people this is! That was the ticket to finally embrace play as an adult. I now “do business” playing as a portrait and commercial photographer.

Today, I intentionally play at three things:

• Bike riding, as it elicits the feeling of independence and freedom I had as a child riding my bike.
• Doing my own photo editing (instead of contracting it out) as this reminds me of the feeling I had when I would lay on the floor with coloring books and my box of crayons.
• Swing dancing (before Covid): Oh, to communicate with no words -- combining music, pulse, movement and connecting with others. It’s a fabulous was to play and go home when the “street lights come on.”

In addition to these, I eagerly look for play opportunities: to experience new things and go to new places, alone and with others.


Thanks for the opportunity to reminisce and for encouraging your readers to include play in their lives.

Donna Edman

Donna Edman is a professional photographer specializing in Portraits, Commercial and Fine Art images. From her previous social work and teaching experience, she incorporates rapport-building strategies to help her clients feel comfortable. The resulting portraits tell a story, often with associated emotions. Donna’s commercial work includes architecture, product and branding images for businesses. Her fine art images are of nature, travel, street scenes and architecture. Donna has a tender heart to encourage people and help them develop their “voice” using imagery. Her recent book, Women of Wisdom:  Honoring their Grace, Strength and Beauty, Donna captured authentic images of women over 50 and included advice to their 20-year-old selves and a peek into their personal stories. In addition to providing custom images to her clients, she teaches children, teens and adults how to create photos with impact using a curriculum she developed. Donna’s personal mission is to encourage, inspire and help others discover their inner joy, beauty, and meaning in life. You will find samples of Donna's work here www.donnaedmanphotography.com.