My Connections To Play

Play today is not that much different from when I was a child. In my past I have observed may childlcare centers and the games I have observed the children being engaged in has not changed at all. I feel that when it comes to early childhood it appear that each child is still in that enjoying play mentality and not trying to grow up so fast and into having fun, but to me it seems once they reach that age range of 7-9yrs age range they mature out of no where. I guess that comes from some parents trying to make their child grow  up to fast and not allowing them to enjoy their childhood and responsbilities on them before its even time. I hope whenever I become a parent or enter my career field I will allow my children to stay in a child minds frame and enjoy their childhood as long as possible.

I can say that my childhood and adulthood when it comes to play is not different at all because even as an adult I am a big kid at heart, except now I may play for the exercise and the enjoyment of friends compared to as a child I was just doing it to have fun.

 

                                                                           

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 of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood

                                                           

“When kids play, they remember. They may not be aware they are learning, but they sure
are aware they are having fun. When you have a good belly laugh with your siblings or
parents or friends, that stays with you. And the great thing is that is comes so naturally…
if we only let it.”

 

--Rebecca Krook, play facilitator for kids with

disabilities

 

 

Due to the fact I was the only child growing up, play came every easy for me because I played very well by myself as well as had a great imagination. Whether I played with the neighborhood kids or by myself my parents always supported me in my chlildhood. It would be times my dad would come out and  play outside with me if he saw me outside and my mom would play Barbie dolls with me on the inside. One thing I had a bad habit of was making my boy cousins always dress up but I would always agree to go out and play football or soccer so you can say it was an even trade. I can honestly say because of them I have that rough and tumble play naturally because of them and it is more dominant then my drama and pretend play......