My Connections to Play

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

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” ---George Bernard Shaw

 

“Play helps children weave together all the elements of life as they experience it. It is an outlet for the fullness of their creativity, and it is an absolutely critical part of their childhood.”---Joan Almon

At my parents house, there was a large old oak tree that I loved playing at.  The trunk was partially out of the ground and it made a great place to sit and play.  There were countless times my cousins and I would dig around the tree, look for objects, and make up stories.  This was also a place to go for comfort for me.  It also made a great place to play hide and seek.

I loved playing with Barbie dolls as a child. I did not have many of them, but my cousin did.  We role played with them and had a great time dressing them and pretended to be fashion designers.  

This is a picture of Norris Lake. My Dad and I spent lots of time fishing here and I loved playing in the dirt and rocks.  

And I could not forget my loom loops! I was a major crafter as a child. Every adult in my life received a potholder during my fourth grade year!

      As a child, I always played. Whether on summer vacation or Saturday, I was always involved in play.  I did not have the latest, greatest toys, but I was always involved in some sort of play.  I remember imagining many situations, and reading lots of books.  I remember not being busy or shuffled to the next activity. I had the experience of play and time to explore.I was always encouraged to play by family members.  It was a way of life.  I also remember playing in kindergarten, a now lost art.  Even in school, my teachers supported play by allowing creativity.

      I believe play is different now.  For one thing, there are safety concerns for outdoor play.  I am not comfortable allowing my own daughter outside by herself for any length of time. Therefore,her play schedule for outdoors must revolve around our schedule. I also think that families are just so busy that the art of play is being lost.  I would love to engage children in a variety of experiences in which they can be expressive and creative.  In the school setting, I would love to see more play implemented into the day.

     Play is important to me even now.  I have a sewing machine that I had to play around with to learn how to use it.  I also engage in fun activities with my family as a time of bonding.  Also, I have to have an outlet for stress, so what better way can I have this than to play?