My Connections to Play

“Play is the highest form of research.” – Albert Einstein

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” -  Fred Rogers

 The three pictures above represents some essential play items from my childhood. I spent countless summers running through the sprinkler with my sister, Sarah, in the backyard. I remember my parents playing with us too. Sometimes Sarah and I would giggle as we'd run around the house and back to our parents who would be spraying us with a hose. Sarah and I also spent a lot of time with our neighborhood friends. Chris and Kevin lived across the street from us and had a tree house in their backyard. Each summer we would work on fixing it up. The neighborhood girls and I would look forward to decorating it to make it look more beautiful. When the weather didn't allow us to be outside, I really enjoyed playing games with my family. The Memory Game was one of my favorites and still is to this day.

Play was supported and encouraged all throughout my childhood. Lucky for me, it wasn't just the kids. My parents played with us, told us stories and acted silly with us. I have so many great memories from my childhood. When my Grandmama watched my sister and I, she would teach us to play games with each other without getting upset if we "lost." We took turns, learned to share and congratulated the other when we "won."

Today, play can be similar to the play that was part of my childhood. I love seeing children in my neighborhood playing outside. They go sledding, ride bikes and build forts in the "woods" behind my house. At a recent townhouse association meeting I attended, a number of residents were upset by all the children in the street and running through yards in my cul-de-sac. I spoke up and reminded everyone how great it is that they are actually outside and not in their homes playing video games. I think the new world of technology certainly has brought some change in the world of play. While positive skills can be developed through certain games or programs, I feel strongly that children need lot of time to play, invent and create away from screens. They need ample time outside to learn about the world around them. We're lucky to live in places that have so many opportunities for outdoor experiences.

I hope that my future children will enjoy spending their summers building forts, running through sprinklers and playing games, lots and lots of games.