My Connection To Play

“Play is the only way the highest intelligence of humankind can unfold.” ~ Joseph Chilton Pearce (author)

“The most effective kind of education is that a child should play amongst lovely things.” ~ Plato (Greek philosopher)

“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning…They have to play with what they know to be true in order to find out more, and then they can use what they learn in new forms of play.” ~ Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood)

“Play builds the kind of free-and-easy, try-it-out, do-it-yourself character that our future needs.” ~ James L. Hymes Jr. (child development specialist, author)

http://www.childsplaymagazine.com/Quotes/index.htm


Some of the things that represent my childhood play

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Growing up we were always playing outside.  There was a tree in our yard that we were always climbing and playing in.  It wasn't big enough to build a real tree fort in, but we still made it our tree fort either way.



We spent a great deal of time out in the woods.  My grandparents lived right along the woods line.  We would go and explore all the time.  As a family we took may trips out to the woods, spent time camping, hunting, and fishing.  I am a full blooded outdoor girl and love it!



My favorite toys were my pound puppies, Cabbage Patch Kid  and my barbies.


My parents were always encouraging us to go outside and play.  We were kicked out of the house all the time to go play.  We had a neighborhood full of children so there was always someone to play with.  We had a small town in a great wilderness area so there was a great deal of play opportunities   I have an older brother who I played with a lot.  My at my grandparents house they had a great deal of toys and things to play with.  My mom was also very good about playing with us all the time.  I remember many days of playing barbies with her.  My brother on the other hand  G.I. Joe seemed to always be on the attack of Barbie.  I don't know how that girl ever lived.

I definitely think that play has changed over time.  With technology we have have seen a decrease in active play in children.  I see it in my three year old.  She loves playing on my phone and computer.  However she would still rather play outside on her swing set   We go out as much as we can.  It is hard to get them outside as much as I would like because we don't have a fence and when there is so much to do around the house and to get dinner done, its hard to find the time.  I do not think children are encouraged as much to play as they were in the past.  Family schedules are busy and its easier to turn on the TV or give a child a phone while the parents are taking care of what they need to do.  I do think play has changed that there has been a shift in the gender stereotyping of play.  Boys are now not driven away from playing with dolls, girls are playing with the boys with trucks, and other genderized toys.

I played a great deal as a child.  I still continue to play as an adult.  My husband and I are adventurous.  We like to camp, take out our ATV's, hike, and anything else in the great outdoors.  We like theme parks, going to the regular park, zoo, museums, and having fun.  We play frequently   Now that we have children  play is a huge part of our life.  I have tea parties and play dress up with my daughter.  We color, paint, and do arts and crafts all the time.  I dance and sing with both of my children   My son is now getting into playing with others so we are including him in our games and adventures.  I do not think that I will ever loose the drive to play.  I am ready for the children to be old enough to take them to the theme parks as they both are fearless. Soon we can take them hiking more than just the local parks, they already love to go camping, and would love to get them a mini ATV when they are big enough.  I think play will always be a large part of our lives.