Play is not just a tool for young children’s early learning and development, it is a powerful way to connect hearts and lives for people of any age. Just last week, a police officer noticed a boy outside playing with a basketball and practicing shooting hoops. The officer requested and received permission to take his break. He got out of car, approached the boy, and the two of them played one-on-one for 15 minutes. Jacob Aguirre’s mother, Monica Aguirre said: “It’s not every day. I mean, this little life experience for him, it’s huge.” The San Antonio officer, Neil Rocha, says he was ‘paying it forward’.
Just like the little boy, Daniel Mulligan, whose life was impacted by the generous gift of the sanitation worker, so Jacob’s life has a special event. The ripples of those few minutes have gone way out to inspire others. We can influence others lives profoundly, with small actions and small amounts of time.
Today, for a play-of-the-day, can you find a few minutes to play with your child? It doesn’t need to be basketball, or garbage trucks. It can be a board game, or dress-up, or building with blocks. Wee little ones can make a sport out of dropping a spoon over and over for someone to pick up. Peek-a-boo becomes hide-and-seek with older preschoolers. Perhaps, it might be as simple as horsey. In a way, instead of the ripples going out to others, they will go into the future for the child. What might you and your child play today?