I had the sincere pleasure of attending the TNLA Conference in San Antonio a few weeks ago. We started attending this show on the invitation to be the “kids area”. This show is heavily attended by family businesses and the kids are welcome to come along. It’s the only show that has this many kids in attendance. And its endearing to see all of these families!!
I couldn’t have imagined what I was going to gain from this show. It provided me the opportunity to actually watch the kids play. I was a captive audience for 2 days and it brought shear delight watching the transformation. Sometimes it occurred in only a few seconds or minutes and sometimes it took the second day, but almost always there was something newly discovered each time the kids would come by.
At first, it might be only to watch what the other kids were doing or maybe it was creating a “circuit” and acing your best time. Sometimes, it was a gathering on the turf to draw. My favorite was a little one trying to figure out the balance beam mounds. At first he just looked and didn’t even want to try. Then with a little encouraging and hand holding he tried to climb up the mound. Once that was conquered it was time for the wooden beam that connected the two mounds. This required Mom’s help and at times mine. Then the crawl down the mound on the other side. There were a few mishaps but by the end of the conference, he was landing a dismount as he JUMPED off the second mound. What a treat to watch how everyone reacted together. Sometimes it was the kids teaching the other kids, either by actually teaching or just by watching what others did. Moms and Dads joined in on the fun as well. It was pure joy watching the progress of everyone coming through the booth and of course, all of the fun and joy they had.
I’m so thankful that my job demands of me to “ create playground memories filled with fun”!!!
