At the Centre for Learning and Games in Israel

Here I am, once again, in the Educational Centre for Games in Israel, preparing to participate in a "Playforum" sponsored by the center, enthralled by Helena Kling's boundless energy, profound understanding, and deep commitment to play. The Playforum turned out to be a rare opportunity to meet an eclectic collection of play folk - teachers, designers, developers, dramatic play therapists, business play leaders - each with their own gifts of play to share. It was brief, deep, and embracing (maybe because we played a couple's version of knots).

Helena, a certified Defender of the Playful, was recently featured in an article in the Jerusalem Post. Here are a couple of not entirely random quotes from the article:

"If it's got 'educational' on the box, don't buy it," says Kling. "There is so much other stuff you can buy and have fun with, why have a piece of cardboard where a child throws dice and goes round a board and doesn't get anywhere?" Besides, she says, crudely overt "educational" games are the first to be ejected from game collections..."

"KLING SAYS she's often contacted for advice on what parents and grandparents should buy for their children. "Buy something you like that you'd like to play with" is her recommendation, as parents and grandparents should be a part of the child's play. "

Lovely woman. So knowledgeable. So playwise. Who provided me with yet one more lovely opportunity to meet and teach and learn.



from Bernie DeKoven, funsmith