My Connections to Play!!

Play Quotes.....

Essential Play Items for my Younger Self

Boxes, Boxes and Boxes!!!!!

Boxes became whatever I imagined....... many different rooms of a house, a school, school buses, stores  and so much more. I spent many hours, days, and weeks playing in the boxes that my mom and dad's new furniture came home in!    

 

I  Loved Cooking!!!! 

Who Supported my Play:

When I was younger I played all day, from the time the sun came up until the street lights came on.  My mother and father were very supportive of play.  The boxes I played with for a long time were huge and they let me store them in the garage to keep them safe for the weather.  Whenever I would complain that I was board I was always encouraged to go play by all surrounding adults, including my childcare provider.  I didn't watch a lot of television when I was young as I spent a lot of time outside playing.   When I went to preschool I remember playing all the time too.  The only time I remember sitting at the table was to color or eat.  My parents and family members always played games such as cards or board games with me.  Further, when I entered elementary school they supported play as well, we had recess every day in the morning, during lunch and in the afternoon!  Now days recess is very limited.  I also remember playing a lot in Kindergarten, which has also become limited.      To be honest I am not sure I ever have stopped playing.   Just the other day I was running around my front yard with the kids and someone commented, she is lucky she gets to play all the time!  My response to them was that is why I love my job!

When I Played VS Play of Today:

I believe the play of today is different from when I was little as so many children spend much of their time using electronics and are not getting outside to play or even playing inside.  I believe that it is important that children get away from play of electronics and become more engaged in type of play I grew up doing. The children that are enrolled in my family childcare program are provided with many learning centers and they are able to choose where they play.  They use the computer minimally for education learning activities and the TV is used only for educational movement activities that I participate in with them, so they can learn the movements and then we switch to using just the CD.  We do not sit and watch the screen as I believe they get enough of that at home!  I hope that as we educate families that they will encourage their children to put down the electronics and get involved in playing as they learn so much from playing and interacting with others.   

Role of Play:

As a child I learned and gained a lot through all the play experiences I had.  My imagination was stretched, I learned to share, cooperate and to get along with others.  I learned to take turns and accept others ideas and opinions as well as what made others happy and upset.  The list could go on and on about the amazing benefits that I gained from playing.  As an adult I am still playing!  This is probably because of the profession I chose.  After reading about the benefits of play for adults I am glad that I am in the profession that I am in because I still have the opportunities to play all day.  Not only do children learn and gain so much through playing, adults do to.  Therefore, it is beneficial for adult to still allow time to play.  Even if it is just playing with your kids, telling jokes, goofing off or dressing up at Halloween (Robinson, Smith, & Segal, 2014). According to Robinson, Smith, and Segal (2014), if adults incorporate play and laughter into their lives it will help them to be in a better mood, improve relationships and their outlook on things.  I believe because my job allows me to play laugh and have a good time all day I don't get as stressed out with little things like many other individuals do.

Robinson, L., Smith, M.,M.A. & Segal, J., Ph.D. (2014) Why Play Matters for Adults. Retrieved  from http://www.helpguide.org/life/creative_play_fun_games.htm#benefits