edged the importance of play at the
Convention on the Rights of the
Child. In a resolution of the 1989
conference, the body recognized play
as a critical and necessary component of a child’s development, and
declared it a fundamental right of every boy and girl.
“If you want creative
workers, give them
enough time to play.”
– John Cleese
Even if a child is lucky enough to avoid
such a fate, they are expected to contribute in
other ways, such as doing chores or looking
after siblings. In either situation, the child is
left little time for leisure.
While at first glance it may not
seem like jumping rope and kicking a
ball should receive the same level of
protection under the law as the right
to life, liberty, and security, there are many
worthwhile reasons for protecting it just as
fiercely.
PLAY IS A RIGHT, NOT A LUXURY
LESSONS LEARNED OUTSIDE
THE CLASSROOM
Children living in poverty, belonging to
the working class, or those exposed to violence face insurmountable obstacles growing
up. Benefiting fully from play is an obstacle
rarely discussed and almost never spotlighted in the news.
However, the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights acknowl-
Education does not exclusively take place
in a classroom. Perseverance can be learned
more easily, some might argue, on the back of
a bike than it can from a textbook.
Health gurus tell us to take time out of
our busy schedules to work out, release
stress, and focus our minds. Children in
Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan don’t
FIRST DAUGHTER
by Shahida
I am Shahida Sister to four smart kind brothers and a beautiful little sister
First daughter of parents proud all their children will be educated
I hear how well my teacher speaks English I see how fast my friend
Maryam types and I wonder if I will succeed in my own life I am Shahida
I worry about being a good student I dream that I am a professor
teaching mathematics I could be a cancer doctor I am Shahida
I feel if my grandmother and grandfather are fine, I will be happy
I cried when my father was sick I try to understand and help my
friends when they are sad I am Shahida
I dream that I can touch the sky and fly like Harry Potter I hope
to be a leader in the future I am Shahida
FALL 2015
have the luxury of a four-star gym or a formal recess period at school. Those boys and
girls living in remote mountain villages cannot pop downtown and pick up the latest “it”
game at the toy store.
Children in Central and South Asia do not
take play for granted.
Play is an escape from violence, fear, and
tragedy that pervades the lives of many of
the children growing up in remote, impoverished villages. It is a brief moment of respite
from the drudgery of daily chores or the
backbreaking task of earning money to feed a
family of ten or more. Play helps them learn,
develop, and make sense of the world around
them.
Though disguised as games and gaiety,
play should not be discounted as an educational tool. After all, Albert Einstein once
said 8