Priority Play Items:
Play In My Childhood
I don't actually remember my early childhood, but I know my brother was always there. He was my ever-present playmate. From photos, I see us dressing up, playing with dolls and lots and lots of Legos (we still have the Legos). My mom says she wasn't much of a playmate for us, but when my father was home (Air Force pilot), he would drop whatever he was doing to play with us if we asked.
Play Today
Play is a reflection of the condition of society. Sixty years ago my grandparents sent my parents out after breakfast with instructions not to return until dark. Neighbors watched out for each others children. Thirty years ago my brother and I had the run of the neighborhood, we played in a drainage ditch behind our house, and our parents knew where we were. Today, children play inside fenced yards or indoors; unattended children are met with curiosity and concern, or reported to police. Society has shaped the way children (are allowed to) play. Play has become more technological; given a figure or stuffed animal, a child is likely to ask "How do you make it work?" or "What does it do?".
Lifelong Play
Play should be a part of every portion of our lives, every day if possible. For some it's sports or instruments, art or hiking. For others its crosswords and puzzles. I love games and playing in the ocean. My young son reminds me everyday to play, and we do. Whether we're playing Mouse Trap for the 64th time (yes, that was my day today, and I kid you not on the number), cleaning up, or getting ready for bed, we are playing. We smile, laugh, test ourselves, challenge each other, get too rough, apologize, and jump right back in.
Never stop playing.
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI agree that thiry years ago things were very different. It was safe for children to play outside unattended. I did my whole life. But times were safe back then! Compared to now things are very different. People are getting kidnapped, killed, shot and doing crazy things.The world doesnt seem as safe. I cherish each day with my children. My daughter and I play candyland 50+ times every night and I love it. We are headed to the park in a few minutes to play. Im not one of the parents who sit on the bench or in the car, Im on the playground running chasing her and exhausted as she is when we leave. Play is very important for children and adults! Great post!
Misty
It's so wonderful to hear that you, too, are on the playground. I seem to get looks when I'm climbing the equipment with my son, but I do it anyway. And I can honestly say that we set the Mouse Trap trap off 64 times the other night. That has to be a record of some sort. But as he played you could see him figuring out the mechanism, the cause and effect, and problem solving. It was science. It was play. It was wonderful!
DeleteMousetrap has come a long way since I was a kid. No more starting the trap only to watch it fail and be disappointed. Before I left my previous job, I bought the kids Mousetrap when talking about Rube Goldberg machines and was so surprised to see how far we have come in terms of toy manufacturing. It worked every time!
ReplyDeleteChildren do not get to play like we once did and its a shame they do not get the gross motor skills or imagination skills unless a parent is with them or in a fenced in area. My kids in the classroom was outside playing and a child saw a frog and picked it up he threw it through the fence and said hes free to go we have to stay in a fence.He said he does not have to be in a fence he needs to go home this is for kids. I thought that was so sad.Children now a days know more about technology and how electronic games work instead of the traditional dirt buckets and playing in the mud puddles. It is just not safe anymore for a child to play outside alone or even with friends without supervision.
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