Play is such a wonderful childhood experience, that teaches
children about their world and how to grown, learn and interact with others. Two
quotes that depict what play represented for me are:
- “Play is our brain's favorite way of learning”.
Diane Ackerman
Contemporary American author
Contemporary American author
2. “Play keeps us fit physically and mentally”.
Stuart
Brown, MD
Contemporary American psychiatrist
Contemporary American psychiatrist
I love
these two quotes, because play is fun and we learn best when it’s fun and no
pressure; also, playing keeps children in shape and keeps their minds growing. As
adults we still love to play, pretend, imagine and engage in meaningful relationships.
As a child I loved my barbie dolls! I would play with them all day, pretending make believe lives for them.
Making blanket forts was something else that I enjoyed immensely! Creating your own personal, creative, hideout was amazing to me!
My parents fostered my play as
a child, by allowing my sister and me the opportunity to play, run,
jump, skate, ride bikes, and create those amazing blanket forts. Today
play is so different from when I was a child, I played jump rope, softball, climbed
tress, play tag, and made mud pies. Children of today are not engaging in these
play formats, instead children are watching television, social media, and
playing video games, with little or no physical contact or in person socialization.
I thank God that I can say I had an awesome childhood experience in regards to
play; moreover, my kindergarten experience was wonderful I remember playing on
the floor with my favorite teacher building with red blocks! Play is needed to
help children learn about themselves, and the world in which they live.
Tanya,
ReplyDeleteI used the same quote - "play is our brain's favorite way of learning" by Diane Ackerman. My childhood experiences were similar to yours, with very little media involved. I also have noticed that even as adults, play continues to be a great way to learn.
I love that you added about your kindergarten class. My kindergarten teacher is why I wanted to become a teacher in the first place. She let me be who I was and didn't try to put me in the box of every other child. I was an abnormal child that danced to my own beat. It seems that your teacher was one who let children be who they needed to be. That is a great memory to have and I think you for sharing it with us. Do you think you teacher was following a play/exploratory type curriculum or do you think it was more academic based with times for play and socializing?
ReplyDeleteSam,
DeleteI am glad you enjoyed my kindergarten experience, I believe that my teacher was more on the play/exploratory based curriculum. I just remember learning being fun and less intimidating.
Tanya,
ReplyDeleteAs adults we still love to play, pretend, imagine and engage in meaningful relationships. Tanya your words are so vital and important. Adults have to engage with play especially the adults whom are professionals dealing with children, If we stop play, pretending, imagining an engage in meaningful relationships relationships. The main point don't stop playing because you never know who is watching you