My Connections to Play

Play is our brain's favorite way of learning.  - Diane Ackerman

Children at play are not playing about. Their games should be seen as their most serious minded activity.  - Michel de Montaigne

My essential play items as a child included playdough, a water baby, wooden blocks, and Barbies.  I loved playing with things that allowed the use of imagination.  Creativity was always encouraged in my home.  I was also a little on the bossy side, so things that allowed me to be in charge of the way we played were a plus.

When I was younger, my play was supported by my parents.  My Mom would save large boxes at work and bring them home to let me create and imagine.  My Dad would always encourage me to get outside and play with friends.

In my mind, play has changed as technology has increased.  Instead of getting outside and running around, children are watching YouTube videos and playing on iPads.  I think that play has also become more solo and less collaborative.  If you think about it, this is our society as well.  People prefer to text as opposed to dial a phone and if they are forced to make a call, many relish in being able to leave a voicemail.  We do as little face-to-face interaction as possible.  Think fast food drive thru, Redbox video kiosks, and self-scan checkouts.  My hope is that young children will get back to real.  I wish that they would have the opportunity and be encouraged to explore open-ended materials and play collaboratively with other children.

Play allowed me to learn without learning.  I was tricked into learning about measurements when I baked with my mom.  Catching frogs in a pond was a science lesson full of inquiry and hands-on fun.  I think that adults need to play just as much as children.  When I do things that are playful, I find myself feeling free and having fun.  We need to get back to that!