Why Some Adults Are Afraid of Looking Silly?

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JUN 12, 2026

 

I have a game I play with my students called, “Imagination Zoo.” Basically I’m a visitor at the most incredible zoo ever. I tell the students what animal I see, and then the students interpret said animal in their own way. It’s fun to start with the basics, like monkeys, gorillas, and snakes. Eventually I am naming fictional animals and the responses from the students are really quite creative and entertaining. The students don’t feel worried about doing the game correctly. It’s their own interpretation I am looking for, and they’re free to express themselves.Now imagine trying to play that game with a room full of adults. Even if these adults were future, physical education, teachers, I know for a fact, the movements would not be as free. Why is it adults are afraid to be silly through movement? Why do some adults feel an inhibition to express themselves through movement? Where does this come from?We've seen students moving through middle school and high school with all of the social pressures refrain from something that might get them ostracized by the group. Well, that makes me sad. It is something that I can understand. What I'm trying to get to the root of is why don't we as adults feel like we can just be silly? If you get the chance to go to a park with a child, and a child sees a grass covered hill. There's a good chance that child will want to roll or tumble down the hill and sometimes we can't even get to the root of why they wanted to do it other than it was fun for some reason us as adults have forbidden ourselves from enjoying that same fun. I don't get me started on aches and pains and injuries that I totally understand what makes teaching at my age quite the task but what I'm talking about is that freedom of movement. Being an adult in a park, taking your shoes off, doing a cartwheel, a handstand a somersault not because you're trying to become a professional gymnast but because it's fun.I believe there's nothing healthier than an adult who is still embracing the fun and freedom of movement. Whether it be dance, a hobby or simply play, I believe the more we do it the happier we are going to be and the more our students and our children see us do it the less likely the middle school high school years could impact their relationship with movement I'm not naïve. I know that there still will be the peer pressure and the fear but maybe just maybe we can lessen it just a little.Never forget every expert was once a beginner, and we all wobble at the beginning. So the next chance you get dance or play or moving away, that makes you smile. Try something new and don't worry about how you look while you try it. This life is too short for us not to be happy and enjoy every movement every chance we get.Remember, Movement is for Everyone!