Tom Thumb’s Japanese Cousins
Once upon a time…
I noticed that no matter how much of a “peaceful place” I made my classroom, there was always “rough and tumble play.”
Kids wrestling and rolling all over each other on the floor.
And, to be honest, it also happened in the stories they told and played.
As Teacher Tom Hobson writes in his post on the topic: early educators and parents of young children tend to squash such play because it looks like aggression/violence.
I wanted to figure out a way to make it ok.
In part this was because rough and tumble play is so universal in young animals, and I don’t believe in developmental “mistakes.”
But I also remembered from my own childhood that it was a GREAT way to develop self-regulation.
If someone got hurt: game over.
For the fun to continue, we had to pay attention and regulate both our bodies and emotions.
JUST LIKE: our tiny but mighty heroes in this week’s tales, Tom Thumb and Thumbelina’s Japanese cousins!
When these inch-high guys venture out into the world, they use wit and courage (and tiny swords) to overcome the bad guys, and in the end, find their happily ever afters with princesses.
And: both demonstrate remarkable self-regulation, that cornerstone of resilience.
Little Inchkin practices with crickets and bumblebees to develop the focus and skill to control his sword. And he uses it only when he must defend the princess and chase away the demons. Self-regulation!
Issun Bôshi is more of an entertainer than a samurai. He turns down an ogre’s offer to make him taller if he will go steal from a nobleman (that’s self-regulation!).
But when the ogre captures the princess and swallows Issun Bôshi whole: out comes his tiny needle sword.
He stabs with focus and control until the ogre spits him out. And then he pivots and snatches up the ogre’s magic hammer, taking away the bad guy’s power AND…becoming taller in the process.
What a great metaphor for children who so often feel small, and powerless, and NOT in control of even their own bodies and emotions!
Little Inchkin
Retold & Illustrated by Fiona French
Why this variant?
Action-packed story that moves quickly
Large, colorful illustrations and borders evoke ancient Japan
Story mentions that his parents do not love him although they care for him: this doesn’t deter him from his destiny as the greatest samurai in all of Japan (sipping tea with the princess…)
Issun Bôshi
Retold and Illustrated by Icinori
Why this variant?
Lots of rhythm and rhymes incorporated into text
Bold palette in modern-feeling prints
Fascinating ending: “People say the nobleman’s daughter has taken a different view of Issun Bôshi and that their story is not yet over.”
Hai Ja! Play Fighting & Self-Regulation
Teacher Tom describes a specific type of rough and tumble play, “play fighting” in a recent blog post. And, he talks about how his own ideas about whether it belongs in the classroom have evolved.
He shares the work of journalist David Toomey, who says, "Although rough-and-tumble play can cause injury, it may endow the brain with a means to keep emotions in check. Play fighting in particular may provide training for the unexpected, and necessary practice in social skills.”
Isn’t this the reason so many parents sign their children up for the martial arts?
If you’re not yet ready to incorporate “wrestling time” into your schedule as Teacher Tom does, take a page from Issun Bôshi and combine play fighting with dance.
For example, try playing this piece of “samurai music” and have the children move to it.
Most children are familiar with the general idea of karate chops and kicks, so they can incorporate those…without actually touching their friends.
Or, after they are more familiar with the music, hand out scarves and let them swoosh them as magic swords as they move around the space.
Can they self-regulate to both speed up and slow down with the music?
Keep their sword scarves moving without touching anyone?
Feeling really brave? (And by this I mean: do you have confidence in your children’s ability to self-regulate in this way?)
How about…pool noodles???
Still not sure? Check out these (downloadable)quotes about Rough and Tumble Play from leading play scholars!
Self-Regulation at the Water Table
Little Inchkin, Issun Boshi and their European counterparts, Tom Thumb and Thumbelina, all have adventures on the water during their quests.
So what can small world play look like in the water table? And what does it have to do with self-regulation?
When water play is going well, we hardly notice it. Children are completely engaged. Until that ONE KID splashes…
And then the calm sensory exploration and thoughtful observations can rapidly deteriorate into a free-for-all of giddy children and slippery floors.
I’ve been in classrooms where this means the water table is immediately closed.
“If you can’t use the water without making a mess, you can’t use it at all.”
So: missed opportunity for SELF-regulation.
Try providing materials for small world creation and see what happens instead!
For example: what kind of boats might be able to transport the tiny heroes to their next adventure?
Can the children make houses, or forests, or mountains for them to visit?
What will the “people” and animals be made of so that they don’t fall apart when they get wet?
Providing lots of interesting loose parts with the invitation to create a watery world for Inchkin or Tom to explore hits all the notes for constructive and make believe play, as well as sensory play.
AND: it promotes self-regulation.
If someone splashes: the boat tips, and it’s the hero who gets wet and drowns! Not only will children want to avoid this, but if it DOES happen, the other kids will be sure to remind their splashy friend!
