deeprootcenter
  • Home
    • Contact
    • Our Story
    • Testimonials
    • Guiding Principles
  • About Us
    • The DRC Staff
    • Fees
    • Consultations
    • DRC-Canton Summer Program
    • Canton Afternoon Program
    • DRC Calendar
    • Resources >
      • Liberated Learners Network
      • OPT OUT!
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Sponsor a DRC Kid
    • Thank you
    • Grant Funders & Sponsors
  • Blog
Picture

The Rigors of Play

11/15/2020

0 Comments

 
Playing has become a four-letter word in our culture.  Uttering the three words, "I am playing," conjures up frivolity, excess, diversionary tactics, plastic toys, and the needless waste of time.  Which explains why most 9-18-year-olds I meet can look me straight in the eye and say, either, "I used to play when I was young, but I don't anymore, or I don't know how to play."  

Somewhere along the way, we have lost the true definition of play.  It, in its purest form, is exploration based on curiosity, imagination, and creativity.  And not coincidentally, is also the driving force behind all authentic learning.  

Therefore, I am on a mission to normalize and legitimize not only the word but the act of playing.  

Yes, among many other things, I play with written words, graphic design, food, tech skills, and even verbal communication.  I use the word "play" explicitly (and sometimes provocatively) to describe any task.  I want to express very clearly that I enjoy my work and that I anticipate having fun.  

Most of us will only take anything on voluntarily (even if it may seem challenging or hard) if there is the promise of pleasure, happiness, and the feeling of satisfaction from a job well done at the end.  Hence, the very concept of enjoyment drives self-motivation, which, not surprisingly, along with rigor, is the number one concern for most parents (and teens) who contact me.

As human beings, we will not do (or learn) something simply because someone tells us that we "have to" or that it is necessary for our future. 
Our evolution, as humans, required all authentic learning to be driven by imagination, creativity, experimentation, and the exploration of all the things that we are each profoundly interested in. These are the notions that make us ask questions, spend hours contemplating, seeking out the answers, challenging the status quo, and creating solutions, change, and, most importantly, art.

We are all playing here.  Make it worth your while, and have fun!

DRC News

This past week we were very fortunate to have a film-maker, Liam Crossen, at the Center interviewing our student members, staff, and families to create short vignettes, as well as action footage of the Centers for our social media accounts and website. We are excited that you will have the chance to hear about Deep Root Center from the perspective of those who spend their days here.  These will begin rolling out as soon as he has them edited.  Stay-tuned!

This amazing opportunity was perfectly timed - we decided to go fully remote beginning Monday, Nov. 16th, as the number of COVID cases rose exponentially over the last week.  

Our student members will still have the opportunity to connect remotely through the DRC daily schedule of classes and mentoring sessions, as well as on a broader scale with other young people around the world through the Liberated Learners Network schedule of classes. If your virtual education is leaving you feeling bored and uninspired, check us out. DRC is accepting distance learning members throughout the pandemic.

And, a special thank you to Ian Corse for taking the new DRC Logo and  "cleaning it up" for us. 

Picture
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Don't miss a post!

    Sign-up here to get the DRC Blog delivered to your inbox.

    Archives

    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013

Picture
© 2023 Whole Learners, Inc. 501(c)3
Deep Root Center
48 Riverside Drive, Canton, NY 13617

​315*244*3034/maria@deeprootcenter.org
  • Home
    • Contact
    • Our Story
    • Testimonials
    • Guiding Principles
  • About Us
    • The DRC Staff
    • Fees
    • Consultations
    • DRC-Canton Summer Program
    • Canton Afternoon Program
    • DRC Calendar
    • Resources >
      • Liberated Learners Network
      • OPT OUT!
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Sponsor a DRC Kid
    • Thank you
    • Grant Funders & Sponsors
  • Blog