What my students taught me about Play

A year ago today, I was teaching K-5 Special Education in San Francisco. My days were packed to the brim with all things elementary school: snack, recess, story time, music, crafting, and of course, play. For my students, who were Autistic and mostly nonverbal, play was everything.

My students were the greatest teachers of play I ever had. For example, one of my charming kindergarteners invented a new version of tag. While at recess, he would slowly walk towards the exit: two big green double doors, propped open and leading to the interior courtyard of the school. When he got to the doors he waited to be noticed by a teacher (usually me). The moment I made eye contact with him, he gave a massive, mischievous grin and then sprinted away through the doors.

I will never forget the way he skip-jumped around the halls, whipping his head back at each corner to make sure I was chasing him. He’d duck into classrooms and raid teachers of their stuffed animals, then run out again, me huffing behind him all the while. On many occasions I swore under my breath, then giggled at the ridiculousness of it all, then swore again, cursing his brilliant little mind. It was a fantastic game he invented, but I could never figure out how to win! 

Like this new version of tag, the games my students played always surprised me and forced me to level up my own imagination and creativity. One student loved to spin around in circles more than anything. How could I play this game with him and turn it into a moment of connection? I found the perfect office chair for him to sit in, nice and cushiony with a spinning top. When we took music breaks between lessons, I’d ask if he wanted to spin, and then I’d twirl him around as fast as I could. By the end we were both giggling.

Another student loved the feeling of what we called “heavy work.” He had an immense appetite to squeeze things and lift bulky objects, but he would test his strength by tipping over chairs and desks. How could I turn this interest into a game that was safe for everyone? Together we made a 10-minute daily work-out routine. We’d take some deep breaths, do a few wall push-ups, and then do a wheelbarrow walk. He’d get on all fours, I’d lift his back legs like the handles of a wheelbarrow, and then he would walk forward using only his hands. This often ended in him laughing so hard that his arms would give out and he’d lay with his chest on the floor while I was still trying to keep his ankles in the air.

Each day working with my students was filled with play, play that stretched my imagination. Sometimes I was stretched too far, my brain turning into putty, my body aching by the end of the day. Sometimes my students were stretched too far, and we had to learn the consequences of unsafe play. But more than anything, playing together grew our compassion for one another. Playing with my students, taking on their games, saying “yes, and!” to their ideas, stretched and opened wide my heart. 

It's been almost a year since I left my school community to pursue other endeavors. In life outside of schools, I find myself dearly missing the daily doses of play, and the lessons that came with them. I am struck by how little play exists in the adult working world. It is so relevant to our abilities to connect, learn, and grow our imaginations. This is why I love being a part of Provocation Theatre. It is the greatest outlet in my life for play. 

Last fall I was delighted to sit in on Ahran’s epic class, Play as Liberation, and I was so thrilled to see a room full of improvisers joining her for Allyship with your Inner Critic in March. 

This month I can’t wait for our Community Showcase on April 27th, where we’ll get to see our 301 students share their playfulness, alongside the Globalls, our new House BIPOC troupe. Finally, I’m thrilled to be practicing applied improv in Mal’s Tuesday class, Leadership Unscripted, where we get to see the positive effects of play and improv fundamentals in our daily work.

Play is as essential to our humanity as breathing. We are playful beings, adults and children alike. As spring comes into full bloom, I hope to play with you too, at Provocation Theatre + Berkeley Improv.