My
connections to play!
“Play is the
beginning of knowledge.” -George Dorsey “Play is the beginning of knowledge.” -George
Dorsey
As a child play was an important part of my
day. During the summer months I would leave the house when the grass was still
wet and play until the street lights came on. My friends and siblings and I
played at the neighborhood playgrounds, in the woods and in the corn fields. We
didn’t have many toys sometimes a ball or our bikes and we would play “team”
games, play house, and build forts out of materials we could find.
There was very rarely any adults included in
our play and the only adult support we had was freedom. The adults in my life
allowed me to be independent and did not provide technology or t.v. for me. They
provided a safe environment where everyone in our neighborhood looked out for
all of the children so that we were free to explore and have adventures.
“Play gives children a chance to practice what
they are
learning.” -Mr. Rogers
The picture above depicts the carefree attitude we had and
how play helped us grow and develop. Today play is different because there is a
lack of security and children are not as imaginative. Children do not go
outside as often and they rely on technology for entertainment.
I hope that parents of young children today will realize the
importance of imaginative play and outside play time. I hope they will limit
screen time and go outside with their children and explore the environment with
their children.
In my life play has been a savior. In a world filled with apprehension
I was protected so that I could explore and investigate. This gave me a sense
of wonder that I can pass on to my students and share with them. Play was an
escape from reality for me and helped me to discover how much the outside environment
has to offer in early childhood.
Hi Susan,
ReplyDeleteI liked how you talked about the only adult support you usually got was freedom. That is so important. I can remember my brother and I being home alone (he was 9 I was 5) and having so much fun. We were free to do whatever we wanted and boy did we get creative. I feel our society is getting more dangerous for children and parents need to be more protective than ever.
Best,
Jessica Arnold
Hi Susan,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post this week. It sounds like your version of childhood play was very similar to my own! The one question I have is in regards to your statement that children today are not as imaginative. I have to respectfully disagree with that; I think that imagination is an innate drive in children, and it just depends on whether or not children are given the opportunity to use it. I believe that children are not less imaginative, they are just given less opportunity to use that skill because they have other play materials available such as electronics. I strongly believe that given the opportunity (which they often are denied), children today would be just as imaginative as children in past generations. What are your thoughts on this?
I agree with Sarah, I think children of today are still imaginative (or may be "out of the box thinkers" would be a better term), I just think with the society and technology changes they are expressing themselves in different ways.
DeleteSarah,
DeleteI had not thought about it from that prospective but I have to agree with you. Imagination is innate we just have to find other ways to get them to express it. Technology is a huge part of children's lives today and I believe it is here to stay. Thank you for your insight.
What a wonderful childhood you had!
ReplyDeleteHope all realize the importance of play in their children's lives before its too late.
Pushpa