My
connections to Play
It is a happy talent to know
how to play.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
American writer
1803–1882 (http://www.museumofplay.org/education/education-and-play-resources/play-quotes)
American writer
1803–1882 (http://www.museumofplay.org/education/education-and-play-resources/play-quotes)
Almost all creativity involves
purposeful play.
Abraham Maslow
American psychologist
1908–1970 (http://www.museumofplay.org/education/education-and-play-resources/play-quotes)
American psychologist
1908–1970 (http://www.museumofplay.org/education/education-and-play-resources/play-quotes)
Play gives children a chance
to practice what they are learning.
Fred Rogers
American television personality
1928–2003(http://www.museumofplay.org/education/education-and-play-resources/play-quotes)
American television personality
1928–2003(http://www.museumofplay.org/education/education-and-play-resources/play-quotes)
My Connections to Play
When I was younger my family didn’t really promote play,
although we played often. I spent a lot of time at my grandmother’s house. Most
of the time she was showing my cousins and me how to work in the garden and
cook. We did a lot of outside play which was running, jumping, and riding
bikes. No one ever voiced how playing was healthy for our overall development.
I think they were happy that we played so that we could tire ourselves out, and
go to sleep when it was time to go in the house. I don’t think the importance
of play was stressed within my family when I was growing up because my family
was busy trying to take care of us. However play was stressed a school, I remember
my teachers saying play helped us to burn calories so we didn’t become over
weight. There was never a direct correlation between play and healthy
development mentioned to us. My parents provided me with lots of toys as a
child, however I never really had an imagination honestly I was into what it
was like to be an adult. At school when I was in pre-k through kindergarten there
was plenty opportunities for play. We had various centers to go through daily
and spent most of the day in those centers learning different skills.
Today play is much more complex and backed up by research
and studies. There are facts proven by professionals on how play is very
important to the healthy development of children. The importance of play is
stressed to educators so they can use it to teach children based on their interest.
There have been studies on the different
types of play and how each of them have a significance in regard to healthy
child development. The goals and standards of early childhood are somewhat
based on the importance of play. Teachers now are taught how it is ok to guide
play by setting up different activities in centers. I actually hope that the
importance of play keeps being encouraged until the end of time. So that
children can continue having fun while learning and gaining skills that they
will need through their life. Even though I am an early educator I have to
admit I am still not a huge fan of playing, like I mentioned earlier this stemmed
from my childhood. However when a child approached me in and wants to engage in
play I am right there and ready to make their wildest dream come true and bring
everything from their imagination to life. One of my favorite center is
dramatic play every day my students and I bring something new alive in the
classroom. My imagination might not be big like others, but I do know that
through imagination anything is possible, imagination to me is sometimes like
music it’s an universal language that we all understand.
Reference
Hi Leah,
ReplyDeleteI love your quote which says that "Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning". For me, this is a big deal. When children are able to practice what they are learning through play, their understanding of the subject is deeper. Through practice, skills are mastered; concepts are gained; and learning becomes fun. When my son got into grade 7, he was the youngest in his class. His scores were not as good as expected after his first term, but he scored very high in Math.. I realized that learning was no longer fun. He is a tactile learner and most of the subjects were taught in an abstract way, without any opportunities to practice what he was learning through play or with his hands. So the lack of practice and play killed his interest in his academic work.
So, connecting play with learning makes learning FUN!
Jeshua
I agree Leah I too hope that play continues for all of our young children in today's world. Like you stated play is a stress reliever even when we as adults are in workshops and training they ask us to stand up and stretch or play a game just to keep our mind engaged and focused. Play is important not just for children but adults as well we need to learn how to relax once and a whils and have fun.
ReplyDeleteThe easy bake oven and the Nintendo were some of my favorites as a child. You just sent me down memory lane! When I think back to my own family, my parents were the same way in reference to play. They wanted us to be occupied because there were four of us and they weren't really thinking about our development. I'm glad that my parents didn't sit me in front of a TV and allowed me to enjoy my childhood outside. I think that many times today outside play is forgotten. I can't imagine not having outside play time in a child care setting or at my own home. Children love the outdoors and it is also a great time for them to explore the environment.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading your blog. I also loved the Easy bake oven and brought my granddaughter one for Christmas and she loves it too. Play is so important in a child's life. I made sure my son had games to play and activities that involved being active and outside.
ReplyDelete