Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.
You see a child play, and it is so close to seeing an artist paint, for in play a child says things without uttering a word. You can see how he solves his problems. You can also see what's wrong. Young children, especially, have enormous creativity, and whatever's in them rises to the surface in free play.
When I was growing up I was always allowed to go play outside with my friends and cousins. We had a park that was right behind the first house I remember living in. My mom would allow me and my cousins to go play there for what seemed like hours. We would run, play, swing and slide to our hearts content. We would make friends with other children from the neighborhood and make up games while we were out there. My most fond memories of my neighbors and cousins all have to do with us playing. When we get together as adults most of the stories that we tell have to do with us and some sort of play.
When I compare children of today and of the past I do not see a lot of children playing outside anymore. When I was younger your friends would come over everyday to ask if you could play or you would go over to their house to see if they could come out and play. If I do see children playing outside they are not playing with each other. They may be playing with some electronic toy that does not allow for others to join in or they are not not as social as we used to be as children. My hope for my children and other children growing up in these times are that they begin to be taught the importance of playing with others and are encouraged to play with others.
The role that play has played in my life is that it helped me to develop socially via making friends, physically while playing at the park, playing tag, hopscotch and other games that required gross and fine motor skills and it also helped me develop intellectually as I gained problem solving skills via games such as hide and seek, connect four, Battleship, checkers, Life and Monopoly. The skills that I learned during those times are skills that I had to use through middle childhood, my teenage years up through adulthood. I still enjoy playing to this day and do it every chance I get.
I too loved the Care Bears and remember collecting every thing that I possibly could as a child. I enjoyed reading your blog and looking at your photos they also brought back memories from my childhood. It's funny how some toys never die off they are just changed or revamped and then sold to the next generation!
ReplyDeleteAndrea,
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I loved the cabbage patch dolls as well. I remember when they were first created how all the little girls in my neighborhood wanted one of them. It is so unfortunate that in today's society how we don't see kids going outside to enjoy play time. Kids today are so consumed with video games, they can play them on video devices as well as the computer. There is a downfall in that you can not sometimes just send your child outside to play because of potential sex offenders or someone who is just not stable who may kidnap your child.
Hi Andrea, I enjoyed reading your post. I remember going outside to play with my friends was the highlight of my day. I could not wait to get home from school do my homework and chores and then go outside and have the best time with my friends. The picture of the hoola hoop brought back so many memories they us to call me the hoola hoop queen because i did so many tricks with it OMG this is awesome. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Best wishes to you.
ReplyDeleteAndrea,
ReplyDeleteIt's awesome that you had a park and playmates so close to home. I remember going to the park with my older brother a lot when we were younger. We often played basketball, tag or hide and seek. Sometimes we would have family bbq's at the park too. It was always fun for everyone because the kids could play and the adults could socialize (or play too!). Thanks for the post.
Danielle
I loved the Care Bears when I was a little girl. My daughter's name is Kherington and her nickname is Kher Bear! Weird I know! But I also enjoyed playing outside with my friends until the streetlights would come on. I make sure my children get outdoor play exposure and I make sure that they interact with other children so that they can improve their social skills.
ReplyDelete