My Connections to Play

“Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s soul.” Friedrich Froebel (founder of the concept of kindergarten)

 

 

“The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct.” – Carl Jung

 

 

 

 

“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.” – Mr. Rogers

My grandmother supported play when I was younger by allowing my siblings and I to explore the outdoor space of our back yard for long periods of time.  She let us use old pans that were on longer useful to her in play to create cakes from mud.  We were use to watching her bake cakes and pie on the weekend for dinner; then on Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday she baked multiple cakes, pies and cookies.  I loved making cakes using mud; I realized now I was recreating what I had observed my grandmother doing for many years I was learning the process from my perspective as a child.  I was developing my cognitive skills of adding ingredients, motor skills digging up the dirt and stirring to incorporated make believe ingredients.  My social and language skill were developing from the communication that occurred between my siblings and any other neighborhood friends who joined use in our master creations.  

 

 

I feel play is different from play that I engaged in when I was a child; play today for children is now planned I have over heard parents talking about getting together for play dates with their child's friends. Families usually meet at someones house or the park; when I was a child friends just showed up at your house to play they would knock on the door and ask my grandmother if we come out to play.  In school free play has been converted into gym where there are planned physical activities for students; for younger children the time is shortened and there is more emphasis on academics than for children to have opportunities to make believe.  The interest of child involved play now consist of wii's, game boys, nintendo's , and computer/tablets.  Children are no longer choosing to go outside for physical activity; they are opting to sit with game systems.  I think children's lack of physical activity could be linked to the increase in juvenile diabetes among young children.  

 

 

Rushton & Juola-Rushton, 2008 research indicates that play stimulates brain development this is why it is important for educators to craft child-centered learning environments that stimulates the interest of children and optimizes the brain's ability to understand, absorb and retain information.  The role I think play has had in my life was in my career choice.  I mentioned in a previous class that use to pretend to be a teacher; i find it interesting that the role I occupied during my play time was an educator.  I think my play spilled over into my real life which indicates to me make believe for children could be a prelude to what they will become later in life.    

 

 

Reference

 

Rushton, S., & Juola-Rushton, A. (2008).  Classroom learning environment, brain, research, and the no child left behind initiative: 6 years later.  Early Childhood Education Journal, 36(87), 87-92.