This quote emphasizes the importance of play in children’s lives. It suggests that play is not just a leisure activity or a way to burn off energy, like sports might be, but rather an essential part of their growth and development. When Montaigne refers to play as their “most serious actions,” he implies that through play, children explore the world around them, learn social skills, solve problems, express and control emotions, and develop their cognitive skills.
Play is where children practice life. They role-play scenarios that help them understand complex human interactions and emotions. They build towers to understand physics. They create art to express feelings they might not yet have words for.
In today’s world where academic achievement often takes precedence over free playtime for children, this quote serves as a reminder of how crucial it is to allow kids time for unstructured play. It can be applied in both educational settings and at home by giving children ample opportunities for creative exploration without rigid rules or expectations.
In terms of personal development too, this idea holds relevance beyond childhood years. As adults too we often learn best through ‘play’, which could mean experimenting with new ideas without fear of failure or trying out different roles or tasks before deciding what suits us best.
Therefore it’s important that we don’t undervalue the power of ‘play’ at any stage in life – whether it’s building sandcastles on the beach as a child or brainstorming ideas on a whiteboard as an adult – these activities are not mere diversions but vital parts of our growth process.
