Here are a few quotes about play that I enjoy:
“Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning.”-Diane Ackerman
“A child loves his play, not because it’s easy, but because it’s hard.”-Benjamin Spock
When reminiscing on my childhood, I thought of a few toys that I played with quite often: Barbie dolls, basketball, and bikes. I had a lot of toys when I was younger, but when it came down to it I loved just being outdoors playing with the neighborhood kids the most.
My siblings, parents, and friends supported play. My parents were the ones to get me my toys, of course. They always strongly encouraged us get outdoors and play outside though. My sister, Ashley, was just a year older than me so we would play together quite often. The neighborhood kids, Ashley, and I would play simple games like Tag or Hide and Go Seek. I also liked riding my bike around the neighborhood. Sometimes my sister would go with me but most of the time I’d go by myself.
I feel that play is a lot different now than it was then, and that’s only been about 20 years ago. In my day of play, I spent a lot of the time outdoors. When I played indoors, it was with dolls, puzzles, or game boards. According to what I hear from my students, a lot of time spent playing is on the computer or some other form of game system.
I believe that play served a purpose of just simply letting go. When children are in their world of play, everything else doesn’t matter. “It allows them to digest life and make it their own” (Almon, 2002). I feel that as children grow older and enter adulthood, the form of play changes. They no longer run around playing Tag, but move on tow “grownup” things.
Resources
Almon, K. (2002). The vital role of play in early childhood education. Gateway, 43. Retrieved from http://www.waldorflibrary.org/Journal_Articles/GW43almon.pdf
Hi Arica, play has truly changed for today’s children. My nephews that are 8 and 11 year prefers to watch TV and text message friends. For Christmas, they got a dirt bike and that is most they have been outside in a while. Children today need to play without a purpose, just have fun and not worry about what TV show is coming.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Andrea
I also think play has changed a lot in the years. When my son comes home from school he wants to watch television or play video games. I have to put him in baseball and football to keep him active. He loves outside, but he also loves technology. So many parents do not let their children play outside or put them in sports becasue they say they don't have time. But it is so important becasue i am always suprised when I see him excited to learn something new that one of his friends showed him when they play outside.
ReplyDeleteHi Arica
ReplyDeleteI also believe that the value of outside play has truly degraded over the decades. Children are so wrapped into technology, and cyber life that the are missing the essential lessons learned from peer to peer interactions. They are also missing out on the benefits of physical activities.