Play
What do you like to do in your free time? It seems like a simple question. What do you like to do for fun? Thinking back to when you were growing up, what kinds of things did you used to enjoy? What hobbies or sports might you have listed when you were 10 years old?
This week I have been reminded that children from different cultures respond differently to the question, "What do you like to do in your free time?" Some examples from Australia and Cambodia highlight the differences.
10-year-old Joshua lives in Australia. He likes bike riding, skateboarding, Playstation, running, soccer and swimming. 12-year-old Breanna lives in Sydney with her mum, dad, 2 sisters and pet bird. She likes, "reading, dancing, singing, partying" as well as, "shopping, skipping, monopoly and Rummy-O". 7-year-old Amy likes to do handstands, play tip and play with her Bratz dolls. Luke, 5, likes going to the park, riding his bike and singing.
In comparison, 12-year-old Veurn lives in Cambodia. In his free time he says he likes to carry the water. Hoky, 9, does housework. 15-year-old Srey Mom stays home. Srey Lis, 9, waters the crops and looks after her younger brothers and sisters. Others say they wash dishes, cook food for the family and care for grandparents. A few Khmer children reported on things they do apart from jobs. Some read books. Srey Toch, 14, likes to play with the cows.
Play. It doesn't have to be with i-Pods and Playstations. It could be playing catch, climbing a tree or swimming in a creek. I've said it before but I believe that it pleases the heart of God when kids play.
This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with cane in hand because of his age. The city will be filled with boys and girls playing there." Zechariah 8:4-5
This week I have been reminded that children from different cultures respond differently to the question, "What do you like to do in your free time?" Some examples from Australia and Cambodia highlight the differences.
10-year-old Joshua lives in Australia. He likes bike riding, skateboarding, Playstation, running, soccer and swimming. 12-year-old Breanna lives in Sydney with her mum, dad, 2 sisters and pet bird. She likes, "reading, dancing, singing, partying" as well as, "shopping, skipping, monopoly and Rummy-O". 7-year-old Amy likes to do handstands, play tip and play with her Bratz dolls. Luke, 5, likes going to the park, riding his bike and singing.
In comparison, 12-year-old Veurn lives in Cambodia. In his free time he says he likes to carry the water. Hoky, 9, does housework. 15-year-old Srey Mom stays home. Srey Lis, 9, waters the crops and looks after her younger brothers and sisters. Others say they wash dishes, cook food for the family and care for grandparents. A few Khmer children reported on things they do apart from jobs. Some read books. Srey Toch, 14, likes to play with the cows.
Play. It doesn't have to be with i-Pods and Playstations. It could be playing catch, climbing a tree or swimming in a creek. I've said it before but I believe that it pleases the heart of God when kids play.
This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with cane in hand because of his age. The city will be filled with boys and girls playing there." Zechariah 8:4-5
posted by pip @ 4:27 pm
1 Comments:
At 1:34 pm ,
pip said...
My friend sent me a text in response to this post:
"3 yo amy likes 2 play with her aunty naomi, dora, elmo, dorothy, t-set, play ground & her my little ponyies called pepper & pippa!"
So if you are looking for a gift for a 3 year old girl, it sounds like my little ponies are still cool in Adelaide : )
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