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December 14 marked the final class of the semester at the Tzu Chi Academy, Toronto. On this day, there were no textbooks or exams on campus; instead, the air was filled with laughter, applause, and cheers. The school meticulously planned a unique event for teachers, students, volunteers, and parents titled “Let’s Play This Christmas”. In a joyous and warm atmosphere, the semester concluded on a perfect and moving note.
Creating a Space for Family Connection
The inspiration for this event came from a common sentiment the school repeatedly heard while interacting with parents: as children grow older, parent-child interaction seems to gradually decrease; parents find it increasingly difficult to connect with their children’s inner worlds, and children spend less time actively conversing with their parents.
These genuine and profound feedbacks prompted the school to reflect: could they create a space where parents and children can participate, play, and laugh together, thereby creating precious shared memories?
Under the meticulous planning and coordination of event team leader Ya-min Huang, this idea finally materialized on the last day of the semester. From inviting parents to participate and securing the full support of volunteers, to conducting offline meetings and repeated online communications to adjust the flow, everyone worked together to prepare thoroughly for this day.
Rediscovering Childlike Wonder and Rapport Through Collaboration
Despite the biting cold outside in Toronto that day, the school made good use of its indoor spaces, meticulously designing six fun and challenging activity stations, including: “Space Walk,” “Moon Landing,” “Heart and Hand Connection,” “Three-Legged Race,” “Kinship Connection,” and “You and I.”
Early on the morning of the event, I arrived at school particularly early and saw many Tzu Chi volunteers and youth volunteers already eagerly preparing various props. As class time approached, parents gradually entered the campus, their expressions showing anticipation, though also a slight unfamiliarity. Under the gentle guidance of the volunteers, parents returned to their children’s classrooms to form teams, and then teachers led them to the various activity stations.
At the start of the event, the children were bursting with excitement while the parents appeared slightly reserved. However, amidst bursts of laughter, the reserve gradually melted away, and the distance between parents and children quietly diminished.
Strengthening Parent-Child Bonds Through Play
“Space Walk” was originally designed as a student competition, with parents cheering and assisting from the sidelines, but an impromptu invitation for parents to join in instantly heated up the atmosphere. Parents became even more engaged than the children. A volunteer chuckled, saying, “Actually, adults also have a child living inside them who wants to play, they’re just usually too embarrassed to admit it.” There was even a playful showdown between a father and mother. People jokingly remarked that if the dad won, he might not get dinner at home, to which the dad boldly replied, “I’d rather win and eat noodles at home!” which drew roars of laughter from the crowd.
In the “Moon Landing” challenge, parents and children had to move forward step by step using small pieces of paper placed before their feet. Every step tested their focus and patience, allowing everyone to be fully present in that moment, concentrating on their cooperation with one another.
“Connecting Hearts and Hands” tested team spirit. Participants held hands and had to pass a hula hoop from the first person to the last without letting go. The sight of adults awkwardly wiggling through the hoops awakened their childlike spirit, while children cheered enthusiastically from the side, creating a heartwarming scene.
The “Three-Legged Race” seemed familiar, yet it was full of emotion. Whether it was a big parent with a small child, or a child who had grown almost as tall as their parents, they walked closely leaning against each other. It was a moving sight that begged the question: How long has it been since parents and children shared such intimate physical contact?
“Brotherly Bond” required five or six people to form a circle with their arms around each other’s shoulders, using their feet to pass a ball from the starting point to the finish line. This not only promoted parent-child cooperation but also brought the parents closer to one another. By the end of the game, although everyone was covered in sweat, the smiles on their faces could not be hidden.
The challenge of “You and I” required two people to hook a stick with their feet and move forward. The stick occasionally dropped, but each team patiently picked it up and started over. It was a true reflection of the parent-child relationship—stumbling and fumbling along, yet never giving up easily.
Companionship: The Most Precious Gift
These six games, ranging from solo challenges and two-person collaborations to tasks requiring the joint effort of over a dozen people, perfectly echoed the Master Cheng Yen’s teachings in the Jing Si Aphorisms: “Only with united hearts can we accomplish things; only with unity can we succeed,” and “An individual’s strength is limited; the strength of many is infinite.”
What was truly touching was that parents who usually drop off their children at school and leave, chose to stay and accompany them throughout the entire event. A parent of a senior student, rarely seen on campus, accompanied their child through every station, sharing in the joy of success; parents of younger children protected their kids throughout the challenges, demonstrating profound parental love. In a modern society where parent-child relationships are becoming increasingly distant, such interactions are exceptionally precious.
However, amidst the joyful scenes, one could occasionally see children without parental accompaniment standing alone on the sidelines, which evoked a sense of sorrow – perhaps, this served as a reminder: companionship, in itself, is the most precious gift.
A Perfect Conclusion with Songs and Blessings
As the event drew to a close, “Santa Claus,” dressed in his costume, wove through the venue, waving to everyone and offering blessings. This year’s Santa Claus was enthusiastically portrayed by Tzu Chi volunteer Jian-hao Huang, who put on the heavy suit early in the morning, becoming the most delightful surprise in the eyes of the children. Classes took turns taking group photos, and many parents even specifically brought their children back for additional photos, creating cherished memories.
Finally, all teachers, students, volunteers, and parents gathered together to sing “Jingle Bells,” bringing a warm and wonderful close to both the day and the semester, filled with smiles and blessings.
This day was not just a series of games; it was a vivid and profound lesson in humanistic education, allowing parents, students, teachers, and volunteers, through their collective efforts, to genuinely feel the warmth and care of the Tzu Chi Academy in Toronto.