My Connections to Play

I have very fond memories of playing as a young child. I lived in the upstairs of a very old house with my mom and there was an elderly lady who lived downstairs. I had my own play room and every Saturday morning, I would clean out my toy box. After I had cleaned it out, I would sit in for awhile and play with my toys before putting everything back in.  I played by myself, with my mom, my grandparents, my babysitter, and a little boy who lived next to us. 

Quotes About Children and Play:

“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)’

“Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.” Kay Redfield Jamison (professor of psychiatry)

This is one of my favorite toys! I remember when my mom bought the box of Crayola Crayons with 64 crayons and a built-in sharpener! I drew pictures until the crayons were just stubs! I loved crayons with points  and looking at all the colors in the box.

Here is my other favorite toy! I have no idea how many miles I put on my tricycle but I have the scars on my legs to prove that this toy was the best! I took it to my babysitter's every day and rode it up and down the sidewalk and then would try to go as fast as I could around the corner and into the driveway without falling off. Ha, I think I feel in the bushes more than I did making it around the corner! 

   My third favorite toy was the sandbox/dirt pile. I played in those two places and Alice, my babysitter gave me all kinds of shovels, bowls, containers, watering cans, whatever I needed to build with and get extremely dirty with! 

I feel that everyone around me as a young child supported me in play and allowed me to do so many hands-on activities with them. It seemed I was never in the house during the day but outside playing. I think everyone really engaged my imagination and that allowed me to pretend and create.

I think play today is similar with outside toys and activities at least. There are still tricycles, sand boxes, and other large motor developmental activities that children still play on and with. But play is different too because children now have video games, computer, hand-held games, television, cell phones, and a whole slew of electronic gadgets that do not encourage them to do anything but sit. 

I felt like I played a lot longer with toys and other outdoor activities because my imagination was so well developed. I played with dolls and Barbies until I was in 6th grade. I played outside whether it was in the snow or going swimming at the pool. I enjoyed play time because I had to find things to do and had no trouble doing it. I now find myself playing with the children in my preschool and trying to be a good role model to them by allowing them to use toys and other open-ended items that will hopefully encourage their imaginations. I think adults need to find a way to play to perhaps get rid of the stress that seems to take over our lives. I think working in a preschool keeps me young at heart!