Quotes
Essential Play Items from my Childhood
The Role of Play in my Childhood
People in my life supported play throughout my childhood. Time outside with my neighborhood friends was encouraged. My brother and I frequently engaged in imaginary play outside, pretending to be in the army and/or to be explorers. I grew up on the side of a mountain so we spent a lot of time hiking and building forts. We also played inside creatively with our fisher price action sets (when we were able to get along). I remember spending a lot of time in my room by myself playing with my dolls, pretending to be their mother or their teacher. I feel as though my parents helped to foster my play development by encouraging it through a variety of different avenues including: social outdoor play, game play with structured rules, imaginative play with action figures, as well as solitary play.
Play Today
In some ways play today is similar to play when I was a child in that there are many action sets and many of varieties of dolls which encourage imaginative play. However, with the increase in use of technology, I have observed children playing with toys less and less. Even in my own home, I find myself monitoring electronic time and encouraging game and toy time. In general it seems that children play outside less. I think it's unfortunate to see some of the changes because for many parents it's just easier for them to allow their children to play on phones, tablets, and game systems than it is to help them explore outside, play turn taking games and play with toys. In our home, we strive to promote a balance in play so that our children are able to experience a well-rounded childhood.
Play Throughout life
Play is an essential part of life for children and adults. It's important to find different ways to engage your brain and practice skills outside of your comfort zone. Play allows for children and adults to build social relationships, learn how to compromise, build on your strengths and improve on your weaknesses. To me it's essential to live a balanced life between work and play in order to maintain my own happiness.
