“Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a
luxury. Play is a necessity”
Quoted by: Kay Redfield Jamison
“Play keeps us vital and alive. It gives us an enthusiasm
for life that is irreplaceable. Without it, life just doesn’t taste good”
Quoted by: Lucia Capocchione
Growing up for me it was my sister and me, along with my 2
male (1st) cousins. Many of the times we played it was inside with
one another. Our parents worked, while our grandparents watched over us until
our parents came home. My grandparents weren’t too excited about us going
outside to play with other children. They believed it was enough of us to play
with one another. I can remember times we made forts out of sheets, my sister
and I would play cook with our kitchen set feeding our male cousins and times
where we traveled make believe with our baby dolls in our make believe cars. We
use to have so much fun with one another. Our grandparents nor parents had to
worry about us getting into other trouble because we were busy inside playing with
one another. My grandfather encouraged us to play with one another and taught
us that we don’t need a crowd of people to have fun.
Observing the way children play today compared to when I grew
up is totally different. They are more into electronics and games instead of
old school play. For example my younger sisters are 9 and 11 and do not know
how to hula-hoop or play hop scotch. They can barely jump rope. Today’s
society is more relaxed and less interested in actual play.
I enjoyed play during my years, and I still do years later.
I understand how important play/bonding can be to a child. I encourage my
toddler to play every day. When she comes home from school I make sure that I take
at least 30 minutes of my time to play with her. Although I’m a matured adult, I
still enjoy playing. I’m a BIG KID AT HEART!
I like that you used "relaxed" to describe society today. I wouldn't have been so nice. I would have said lazy:) It is sad to me that kids today don't seem to have the opportunities that we did to interact with their peers and use their imaginations. But, who knows? Maybe they are getting something that they need to prepare them for the future. The world is changing and maybe children are getting something from this new type of play that we don't know they need yet. I will continue to encourage children to play and use their imaginations. I will also try to stay open about the changes that have occured and are yet to come.
ReplyDeleteI agree that children need time to play and that it is a necessity that all children play. We see so many of our children obesity because they sit in the house watching tv or playing video games, when they should be enjoying some good fresh air and socializing with others. I have a co-worker who does not buy her children toys for the inside but only outdoor toys. She only allows the video game to be played at night. I think that is great of because they spend alot time outside.
ReplyDeleteI agree that electronics have taken over. I went to buy a baby shower gift the other day and couldn't believe how many of the toys were digital, made noises, flashed lights, and required batteries! What happened to the wooden blocks and shape sorters from our time? Kids are getting less and less active because the toys are doing everything for them! It's a shame to see the attention spans of these kids as they enter kindergarten!
ReplyDeleteAndrea,
ReplyDeleteDo you think you will encourage your daughter to play inside, like your family encouraged you to?
Crytal
Well I played indoors and outdoors. My grandfather preferred indoors. But we played outside daily once our parents came home from work.
ReplyDeleteI encourage my child now to play indoors and outdoors. She plays inside until the sun starts to go down, then I take her out for a walk, to the park or to play ball.
Andrea- I too wrote about the way children don't know how to interact with their environment. I believe their is too much dependence on electronics. There is no need for imagination, or for cooperative social play, especially when everything is at your "disposal" all the time.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm glad to hear that you are going to encourage your daughter to use her imagination. I'm the same way. Imagination, investigation and exploration are key to play.
That is great that you take the time to encourage your daughter to play each day! I as well consider myself a big kid at heart. Play is a very important to keep a happy balance in my life. I make sure to find time for play no matter what. I see that you do the same for your daughter which is amazing!
ReplyDelete