Come Outside to Play with Us

Haha! Would you like to learn some interesting games that kids from different countries have been playing? Welcome to our show, “Come Outside to Play with Us.” The first game we would like to introduce to you is a traditional game called “Egrang.” To play this game, the participants each need a pair of stilts made with bamboo. The participants then must perform different tasks while using the stilts. Dancing and racing are some of the most common tasks. This game can train the participants to balance, walk gracefully, and build courage. Another one is called rangkuk alu, or tinikling. which is a traditional game played by people in Indonesia, the Philippines, and other countries around the world. It is a form of traditional dance involving two or more people beating, tapping, and sliding bamboo poles on the ground. They compete against each other in coordination with one or more dancers, who step over and in between the poles. There are a lot of benefits to spending time in nature either to play or just hanging out. A study conducted in the UK concluded that after spending time in nature, most children showed improvement with their school work, and became more capable of taking on challenges. As a result, they felt more confident in themselves, and had better relationships with their classmates and teachers. The great scientist, Dr. Albert Einstein, said, “Play is the highest form of research.” Play is the vehicle of children for learning, exploring, developing new skills, and connecting with others. Recent research also indicates that spending time in nature may bring other physical and mental health benefits. Exposure to new environments boosts our immune system, which means we won't get sick as easily. Sunlight provides vitamin D and boosts happiness. By playing outside we can also acquire blessings, along with positive energy from trees, grass, and all the plant life surrounding us. Supreme Master Ching Hai has also mentioned the spiritual blessings we can receive from Nature. “The sun cures your aches and pain, it eliminates toxins through sweat – when it’s hot, you sweat – and also it cures some of the diseases or other ailments. The sun gives benefits to all, bad or good. The sun would glorify the whole Earth that we live on and it gives life to all beings: plants, minerals, animals, etc. The sun gives also people happiness, carefree feeling. The sun is necessary for all on Earth.”