I consider it a privilege to have grown up
in a rural setting. I can describe it as the most adventurous season of
my lifetime, so far. I got a chance to be a child. I played every game
that kids play in the upcountry. I landed into trouble countless times
and got badly spanked which wasn't fun but it always taught me new
lessons. Trust me, if your curiosity did not land you into trouble, you
did not enjoy your childhood.
During the holidays, my older siblings would cook, wash and
probably do most of the tough chores.We children, on the other hand,
would go watch after the cattle or be sent around, which i enjoyed
because we would play to and fro. Countless times we would go to the
shop and forget what we had gone fetch or even lose the money on our
way. That was part of growing up.
I enjoyed taking our cow 'Meni' to graze. We had a number
of sheep that we had given names. We would take them to the fields every
morning and pick them up in the evening. My mum had taught us how to
make ropes out of sisal so each one of us had a responsibility of making
one for 'her' sheep every now and then.
We learnt how to create things. I think that is where the
artist in me was born. I loved to make dolls out of pieces of sponge,
paper bags and string and get the hair from sheep's fur. Then we would
make some clothes for them. We would also model with clay, draw, make
houses with sticks, make bin bags, make necklaces out of maize and
beans, play all sorts of games...i mean, there was always something fun
to do.
Most of the evenings were story times. We would watch our
greatewall TV at night, but that did not affect our family moments.
After a long day, we would sit together over supper and laugh for the
better part.
Today, things are totally different. Kids no longer have a
chance to explore and adventure. Their time is mostly dominated by play
station, Television, endless school sessions and homework, smart
phones...it is crazy! We are bringing up a generation of tech gurus who
have no sense of responsibility. Almost every urban household has a
house help meaning that children neither assist with house chores nor do
they go out to play to discover their talents and capabilities. Parents
on the other hand are too busy to even spend time with the kids and
offer guidance.
What am trying to say is that the current style of
upbringing has overlooked the importance of play in a child's
development. Play helps a child to build confidence, develop social
skills, language and communication, learn about caring for others and
the environment, develop physical skills, connect and refine pathways in
their brain.
So, parents, as often as you can, allow your child to go
out and play. As insignificant as it seems, it will shape your child's
destiny.
