Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.
~Kay Redfield Jamison
Play is how we learn about our environments, and how we learn about each other.
Play is where we try things out, make mistakes, get messy, be seen, and become someone new.
Play is learning when you don't know you're learning.
Play is our chance to be silly with an excuse.
Play is when we act our age and anything but.
Play brings us together.
Play opens our minds to new discoveries.
Play play play play play play play.
In a time and culture where we place so much emphasis on test scores, early reading, and pre-k readiness, have we forgotten to value play? Simple sticks and mud play. Bricks and blocks play. Spoons and bowls and clanging noises play. "I'm a super hero" play.
Play isn't just what we do between lessons and learning. It IS lessons and learning. Play is the language of the child, and if we expect children to succeed in this world, we need to learn to speak and appreciate their language. Join them in their language and learn from them.
Kicking a ball isn't just a time killer, it's gross motor development, it's perceptual understanding, it's cooperation, and so much more.
So play with your children, or let them play alone, just don't forget to value play.
i really enjoyed reading how you articulated the play part for children. i have really seen the other side of the importance of children play time.
ReplyDeleteThe children I work with LOVE playing with the simplest things. Boxes, metal bowls, cardboard tubes and boxes, dirt and grass, washcloths and towels, and, of course, balls. Sometimes I think I could take all the cars, blocks and puzzles out of the room and they would be just as happy! Play is the root of it all! Without play, there is no learning. Also, it proves that learning IS fun.
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