Play is the only way the highest intelligence of humankind can unfold.
Joseph Chilton Pearce
Contemporary American scholar
Do not…keep children to their studies by compulsion but by play.
Plato
Greek philosopher
427–347 BC
When children pretend, they’re using their imaginations to move beyond the bounds of reality. A stick can be a magic wand. A sock can be a puppet. A small child can be a superhero.
Fred Rogers
American children’s television host
1928–2003
My Cabbage Patch Dolls, or my moms pots and pans were my favorite toys to play with along with my imagination.
When I was younger my mother supported my play by allowing me to play with household items, and by never hindering my imagination. There were times that i remember her having tea parties with me and my dolls, or helping me make a fort in the living room with sheets and blankets. She allowed me to explore with not only toys, but all of the things that i chose to play with.
Play today is in some ways the same, but in many ways different than the play that i engaged in when i was younger. I remember playing outside in my front yard, or around the neighborhood for hours at a time. That is something that is not done as liberally as it used to be, mainly for safety reasons. There are also many manufactured toys that it seem every child feels that they need to have. When I was younger i did not have many manufactured toys. When i did i treasured it. I don't feel that children take care of their toys are treasure the things that they are given.
I feel that play has always been an important part of my life, and because of that i feel that i must teach others about the importance of play. There are so many ways to encourage learning, and to engage children by offering activities that they enjoy. Play is something that should be encouraged, not hindered, and all children should be given the opportunity to play.
Amazing reflection about your connections to play and such a great pots & pans picture! I was most especially touched when you talked about your mom joining you in your tea parties. I am certain that it not only did you good for her to join you but that it also did her own soul good to play along with you. That's what makes it so incredible for us to work with children. . . we get to play everyday!
ReplyDeleteCabbage dolls I love those. I used to have a lot ofa cabbage patch dolls. I agre that play is not what it used to be. The world is so different now and children have so many more dangers now than they used to. As a educators we have to advocate for play for the sake of our students.
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