Just Add Water isn’t just an improv comedy troupe at Yale. It’s a creed.
If I were asked for the number one thing to do with children that is fun and has the broadest range of use, I would say to take whatever it is the child is doing and just add water.
Young children are absolutely drawn to water. There seems to be a magnetic fascination.
When we started our 2011/2012 Seedlings year I challenged myself to draw a large number of the children together through play, in order for everyone to become accustomed to one another. I didn’t have to think long in order to come up with a plan.
Plan:
1. Shovels
2. Buckets
3. Log stumps
4. Wood planks
5. Sand
6. Water
Away we went! I don’t think I have dug more in my entire life. We worked for weeks building rivers, dams, mountains, volcanoes, bridges, oceans, pools, jetties, lakes, boat runs, waterfalls, and many other wonderfully messy creations. The best part for me was seeing the returning Seedlings welcome the new younger Seedlings in their own ways. One day resident photographer, artist, Mr. Fix-it, and Seedling father, Haidor, kicked his shoes off and spent the entire three hours digging on his hands and knees with the little ones. The common bond between the children these first few weeks seemed to be the water.
Water and children both embody the need to move. In a way, they understand each other. There’s pure joy and discovery when a child marvels at the simple trickle from a hose. Not to mention the raw power of a raging river, waterfall, or ocean’s tide.
Maybe the greatest lesson for everyone who stands before a great body of water is that they are not in control. The Earth is a powerful place, and water reminds us of that. Water has shaped the the Earth’s surface for billions of years. When a young child takes hold of a hose and a creates a mud pile they can experience the Earth-changing power that water possesses firsthand.
With endless opportunity for rich experiences, it’s simple what we can do for children to enhance their lives… Just add water!
© Jonathan Iris-Wilbanks and Sunflower Creative Arts, 2011
Photos © Haidor Truu and Sunflower Creative Arts, 2011
Thanks Jonathan & Susan, I learn every day magic things at Sunflower 🙂 Love you.
Thank YOU Sandra! We’re so lucky to have you as a part of our team. <3
Maybe young children are subliminally still remembering their liquid environment in the womb?
A lovely discussion Jon!
I love how Gus is standing right in the river. Ha!
Ethan takes a shower with Dad every morning – we have an extra hose in the shower and lately shaving cream. He loves to do dishes with Mom (I wash and he rinses). Whenever I go upstairs for any reason, I often find Ethan is right behind me but only long enough to get in the tub and start the water . . . and then of course he must have a bath. Whenever I wash the car he always helps . . . well actually he mostly sprays the car when I ask then he plays in the hose with buckets. And he’s always happy when it’s raining and we get to pick up his brother from school. He knows we will have a wet walk and then usually stay out and play in the rain like we did today. Looking at that picture of all the kids (including Jonathan) in water and dirt makes me excited that Ethan will continue to have water play in his every day when he is a Seedling!!