Childhood Connections to Play

“My Connections to Play”


The two quotes that I feel summarize what play represents for me in childhood are: 
 

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)

Fred Rogers taught us that “play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.” Preschoolers bring their own life experiences and daily skill development to every activity.

Growing up as a child was a wonderful experience and one I will never forget. I come from a family of five sisters and three brothers and so play was something we did quite often as children and played a major role in our development. Whether jumping rope, playing baseball, building block, hop scotch, hide and seek, putting together puzzles, playing dress up with our parents clothes and shoes, playing cards, racing each other or board games we was always playing. We played with each other and many neighbors’ kids on the block. Play was our pastime and a daily part of life. We played with our parents and other members of our family like cousins, aunts and uncles. My parents always made it a point to spend quality time to play with all of us and it in-turn helped us to learn to play with others and how to act. My parents felt it was extremely important for them as well as for us to be involved in play. I can truthfully say that it helped to establish and form bonds. Playing also taught us how to share with one another, communicate, solve differences, and taught us how to solve our own problems without having to involve others.

As I reflect on play when I was growing up I would have to say play is very similar to what I engaged in as a child. Just yesterday I observed some children in the preschool classroom playing with one another. Some of them were playing with block, games and puzzles. One child in particular had a difficult time with the puzzle. As I watched you could see the determination in his face to solve the problem by getting that piece of puzzle to fit in the way it should. He was very successful and happy in doing so. In addition a couple of the students are strengthening their language skills by modeling the other children and the teacher in the classroom. One child stated she was the mommy and the other was the daddy. There were other students playing in a group and building blocks as they engaged in conversation. Another student was pretending to read a story to the other teacher. Based on this observation I would have to say that play is very similar to when I was growing up.

My hope now for young children is that they be given every opportunity to play. Play is very essential for a child’s development and for their learning skills. Since many parents work and go to school it can be extremely difficult for them to spend quality time with their children. This is where balance comes into play. Whether at home or in school anyone involved with children need to make sure children are playing because playing is essential for their development.  

When you asked me what I did in school today

and I say, 'I just played.' Please don’t misunderstand

me. For you see, I am learning as I play. I am

learning to enjoy and be successful in my work.

Today I am a child and my work is play.”

Anita Wadley, 1974.

The role of play throughout my life and even today has not changed. I think all children whether young or old should be engaged in play as much as possible. My experience over the years has taught me about the importance of play and that “yes” children can learn through play. When you play you feel connected. In my mind play is a wonderful thing and something I value a great deal. 

Resources: 

Ginsberg, K. (2007. The importance of play in promoting healthy development and maintaining strong psrent-child bonds. Pediatrics, 119(1), 182-191. Retrieved from http://www.waldorfresearchinstitute.org/pdf/BAPlayAlmon.pdf 

 

 Anderson-McNamee, J.K., ( 2010),The Importance of Play in Early Childhood Development. Retrieved on January 31, 2014 from: http://msuextension.org/publications/HomeHealthandFamily/MT201003HR.pdf