Why is it that when one is called a child, it is linked with negative connotations rather than positive ones? When we think of children, many of us commonly think of someone immature or irresponsible. What we tend to forget though is that children are also imaginative, playful, and creative; we once viewed the world with vibrant colors and curious eyes.

To express playfulness, many children build castles out of building blocks, draw creatures from their imagination, or create false fantasies in their heads. In my case, I was a child who considered the playground as my second home. I especially enjoyed the swings. To be able to reach new heights on a swing, I found it fascinating to see the whole playground on a smaller scale. 

Looking at Play Mountain, a playground created by Isamu Noguchi, I didn’t find anything that stood out. It was a playground unlike any other known for its strange landscape. Composed of unique blocks, various shapes, and a grand mountain that overlooked the playground, children could imagine other realities and ways to play with the different parts of the playground. Although the playground is admired by many, I doubt I would’ve liked the dull colors. I grew up with outfits made of bold, statement colors rather than the slightly dull colors that form Play Mountain. 

However, as we grow older and mature, our view of the world changes, the once vibrant colors diminishing into normal or even dull colors. This is ironic because what I used to despise as a child has now become my reality. That is why I believe now more than ever that the concept of “play” should have an important role in our lives.