The true object of all human life is play. Earth is a task garden; heaven is a playground- Gilbert K. Chesterton
Play energizes us and enlivens us. It eases our burdens. It renews our natural sense of optimism and opens us up to new possibilities- Stuart Brown, MD
I remember always enjoying playing with playdoh and using my imagination to the fullest, attempting to form the best model, and I would become so proud of myself for trying my best and creating new objects. The bright colors drew my attention and it held my concentration for hours.
Jump rope was something that brought neighborhood kids together. We would sing while jumping the rope. It was a great way for us to work together and to enjoy play.
Fantasy play was the best. I remember playing dress up with my sisters and we would imagine ourselves being a person that we looked up to at that time. I also remember singing with my hair brush, deeming the lights, and singing in the mirror as if I was Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston performing at a concert.
My parents supported play and encouraged my siblings and I to venture the outdoors. We would stay outside for hours being creative and exploring. We had a clubhouse; in which, we would ride our bikes to the store and buy junk food to have parties. I remember building volcano's out of dirt and using vinegar and baking soda to create lava. All the children in the neighborhood would get together to race, play basketball, play hide and seek, football, etc. We were able to enjoy the meaning of play and learned from our experiences as well.
Play is different today than it was when I was a young child. Children are more excited to play video games and to watch TV, then they are to breathe the air outdoors. I rarely see children playing in order to increase their imagination. Children are not as adventurous or exciting to discover new things that the outdoors have to offer.
The role of play throughout life changes because as we grow from children to adults, we forget how happy and how enlightening play is. I strongly believe in playing even as an adult. As adults we work so hard attempting to be responsible and taking care of our duties; however, there will be no fun in only working hard and not playing just as hard. There should be balance in our life, so I encourage all to incorporate play in their world. We need to be reminded how we use to be and how play brought happiness in our lives.
Sha-Kevia,
ReplyDeleteI love the photo you have of the adult with her head in her hands as the kids are dancing around in costumes! I think play in a neighborhood like you described playing jumprope is such an amazing multiage learning experiences, there is nothing that can replace that. Hopefully we can get parents to limit the TV and video games, because once they experience outdoors I think any child would fall in love!
Thanks for your post
I agree that we all need more play. Adullts need it as much as chilldren do. It is good for our health, soul, as well as our mind and body. I enjoyed your blog very much and I too encourage play in adults. I LOVE to play and smell PLAYDOUGH still!
ReplyDeleteI truly miss neighborhood play. My children have never experienced play to the extent that I did as a child. How unfortunate for children who grow up in neighborhoods where the neighbors are always changing and children don't have the opportunity to meet and connect for very long. But, children do find ways to meet, even for short periods of time.
ReplyDeleteI love playing and I make GAK (it's like play dough)every week for myself. I sit at the table and will play with it for up to 30 minutes sometimes.
What a great memories! By looking at the picture of children jumping the rope brought memories of the time I was playing with my sister and girls from the neighborhood. We used to spend long hours playing outside, and as you mentioned, jumping rope was one of our favorites too. I loved to play with playdough too, my used to do home made playdough which I still enjoy doing with my daughter. Yes, play bring so much happiness in our lives, and so much FUN! Thank you for sharing!
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