Just Playing!!

Just Playing!

by Anita Wadley
When you see me up to my elbows in paint,

Or standing at an easel, or molding or shaping clay,

Please don't let me hear you say, "He's Just Playing".

For you see, I'm learning as I play.

I'm expressing myself and being creative.

I may be an artist or inventor one day.

When I'm building in the block room,

Please don't say I'm "Just Playing".

For you see, I'm learning as I play about balance and shapes.

Who knows, I may be an architect one day.

When I'm getting all dressed up,

Setting the table, caring for the babies,

Don't get the idea I'm "Just Playing".

I may be a father or mother one day.

When you see me sitting in a chair,

"Reading" to an imaginary audience,

Please don't laugh and think I'm "Just Playing".

For you see, I'm learning as I play.

I may be a teacher one day.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle,

Or "plaything" at my school,

Please don't feel the time is wasted in "Play".

For you see, I'm learning as I play.

I'm learning to solve problems and concentrate.

I may be in business one day.

When you see me cooking or tasting food,

Please don't think that is because I enjoy it, it is "Just Play".

For you see, I'm learning as I play.

I'm learning to follow directions and see differences.

I may be a cook someday.

When see me learning to skip, hop, run and move my body,

Please don't say I'm "Just Playing".

For you see, I'm learning as I play.

I'm learning how my body works.

I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete one day.

When you ask me, what I've done at school today,

And I say, "I Just Played", please don't misunderstand me.

For you see, I'm learning as I play.

I'm learning to enjoy and be successful in my work.

I'm preparing for tomorrow,

Today, I am a child and my work is my play.