MY CONNECTIONS TO PLAY

Two Quotes I like Pertaining to Play:

"Play energizes us and enlivens us. It eases our burdens. It renews our natural sense of optimism and opens us up to new possibilities".

--Stuart Brown, MD, Contemporary American psychiatrist

"Play is our brain's favorite way of learning".

--Diane Ackerman, Contemporary American author

 

Growing up was different for me but similar to many others. Since my sister and I are ten years apart, I used my imagination continuously. From living in the country, I played with my cats and dogs. I had a wagon that I would pull my animals and dolls in all the time. I had a bike, so I rode that a lot. I even climbed trees. My parents would buy me all types of toys. I had a Nintendo, Barbie dolls and all the items that went along with playing with my Barbie (Ken, clothes, house and the car). So, I never wanted for anything. When I was bored with playing by myself, I went over my friend’s house. She lived across the branch, which was not big to jump over. We rode our bikes and even ventured out into the woods. We acted like we were searching for certain things. It was so fun. I miss those days. Sometimes, my grandma (while she was living) would play checkers with me. I miss her. We ate fruit together and she would tell me stories.

The way children play today is so different because they really do not want to go outside. They like staying in the house and play their electronics all day –especially on the weekends. They receive bikes on Christmas and gave sad because it was not the new game for their game systems. They do not know the joy of using their imaginations like we had to do back in the day. I have to get my children excited to go outside or I take them to the park, where they have no chose but to run around and play.

The role of play must be incorporated into a child’s life to keep them from growing up too fast. Childhood passes so fast and they must learn to embrace it, while they are still young. The school systems seem to be run by adults, who have lost their enjoyment of play or they never knew the joy of playing when they were children. It is all about getting the high scores and tiring out a child’s brain. Teachers must begin coming up with games to incorporate into their lesson plans to make learning fun for their class.

If was to put myself into a 4 or 5 year old life: 

If I was five years of age, I would be outside in my yard. It is a country type setting. My neighbor and I are running around the yard, playing with kites. It is kind of windy but pleasant. We decided to cook for our babies, but really it is only dirt and water.  Basically, it is mud-pies that we are “cooking” and decided to call them cookies and cakes. We are getting so dirty but we are having so much fun. My friend loves playing with my two puppies. She puts them in my baby stroller and pushes them all around the yard. They are enjoying it and one even went to sleep. We continued playing and running freely for hours. Great day! My mom would be a resource, just to be there making sure that we were okay (protection).