More than Hide and Seek

As Jennifer Boyle, CMoR’s Director of Education, reflects on the importance of play, she remembers her own favorite childhood game…

What were your favorite games as a child? What did you enjoy playing most?

My cousins and I always loved playing a pumped-up version of hide-and-seek we called Manhunt – Its boundaries were a city block in the Museum District, it was full of intricate rules, lasted hours and always involved at least six other children from the neighborhood – usually more. To our parents, it was a summertime diversion and a chance to rid the house of the kids. To us, it was much more.

As I reflect on that time, I realize that I learned a great deal from playing Manhunt. I learned how to communicate with a diverse group of children, comprised of many ages and backgrounds. I learned how to strategize, coordinate a plan of action (there were multiple seekers in Manhunt) and collaborate with others on rules. Something as simple as hide-and-seek created this amazing chance for me to develop high-concept skills.

Play is how children learn, how they develop the mental, physical and social capacities that are found in skillful and successful adults. Play teaches children to share and communicate. Play strengthens language skills and teaches social customs. Play builds confidence and fosters independence. Play encourages creativity – one of the strongest indicators of success in adulthood.

My parents may not have known why play benefited us, but they encouraged all forms of it. Knowing the benefits now, I can only hope to be as supportive of my children’s unstructured play as they build the mental strength and skills to become interesting and productive adults.