MY CONNECTIONS TO PLAY

EDUC 6161

Reflection: Quotes to Share

During childhood, I was always watching and observing, getting my hands dirty and wanting to do things myself and for others. During childhood, I used my imagination more than I used reality. Being creative a child finds play as a mechanism to learn and grow that is why play is important! Through creativity, a child is being taught or becoming self-taught. As I look back on my childhood I have found that creativity has helped my learning and development which is why I chose these two quotes that exemplify my personal childhood experience.

  

                

Play Items

DIRT- “At the end of the day, you should smell

like dirt” –Margaret Atwood

My Teddy Bear- “When a child loves you for a long, long

time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you

become real” –Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit

Bubbles- “Children have real understanding only of that which

they invent themselves” –Jean Piaget

My childhood is full of play. From playing in dirt with my sisters, cuddling with my teddy bear and constantly asking my mom for bubbles in every store, I find that play is supported by the things children attach themselves to and what they find most exciting.

MY PLAY SUPPORTERS: NATURALLY, MY SISTERS

1988 vs. 1998

  

During childhood, being the youngest, I got the hand-me-downs or was the last one to try something out. I guess that’s what you get being the youngest….

My sister DJ is three years older than me. When we played she was the one watching for me and looking out for me. She made sure I wouldn’t wander far and taught me my basics such as counting and tying my shoes. DJ supported play for me because she made it safe and made sure I was preschool ready.

My sister Tricia is two years older than me. She knew to be daring. There was nothing she was afraid of. She had an idea (dangerous or in question) she did it! I wanted to be daring like her (of course, I didn’t want to look like a chicken) so I tagged along. Because of play, Tricia made it adventurous and she taught me what my limits were growing up. I have scars that prove that sometimes I didn’t listen to myself…

Amber is seventeen minutes older than me. Some may think our play was the same being twins but with different behaviors, our plays were different. Play for me was getting my hands dirty, on the constant go, and always writing apology letters to my mom so I wouldn’t get grounded (I HATED being in my room). Amber played quietly and calmly. She would play with her Barbie dolls and play board games. I went nuts sitting around playing Ken and Barbie. During childhood, Amber’s play kept me subtle. Even though I was not a fan of Barbie and checkers I did learn to braid hair and take my time strategically trying to beat her at board games (which never happens).

My sisters were/are my biggest play supporters. Even though we are grown we still reflect back to our childhood reminiscing of the things we did together and the trouble we got into. I always had DJ who looked out for me, Tricia who taught me to try new things and test my limits, and Amber helped me find new skills and stop to think about my decisions and next move. My sisters are my best friends. I am fortunate to have them or my childhood would have been a big bore and less scar to point and talk about. –Thank you sisters!

  

                                                                 

  

                                         

“A SISTER IS A LITTLE BIT OF CHILDHOOD THAT CAN NEVER BE LOST” – UNKNOWN, N.D.

The difference in Play today than when it was when I was a child

·         During childhood, I was always outdoors. I grew up in a primitive technology era when electronics were in the making but not popular as they are today. Children today find play and learning through technology which has its pros and cons. I prefer “old-school”…

·         Now and days, children are afraid to get “dirty” but I ate dirt as a child. I turned out alright. Illnesses and new parenting styles could possibly interfere with the “back in the day” type of play.

·         Children today want to be entertained rather than finding their own source of entertainment. I ran with sticks, flew down the staircase wrapped in pillows, and camped in the living room for entertainment. Children today seem to not have the same innovated attitude as children like me did back then.

·         Parents today fear their children playing more outdoors because it is now becoming unsafe so what else is a child to do? Riding a bike is really taking a chance… During my childhood I had little supervision to no supervision when I rode my bike and my mom never thought twice. The neighborhood was safe back then.

Last thoughts

If there was no play in my childhood I would not be the social, adventurous person I am today. Because of play I have learned to be creative and use my imagination to practice the skills that has helped me as an adult. Playing in dirty I learned to GO FOR IT. Playing with my teddy bear I learned to care and comfort. Blowing bubbles and constantly wanting bubbles I was able to watch, wonder, and explore why some things behave the way they do… have you ever thought why bubbles bubble?

With the support of my sisters I was always doing something. I had someone to play with so I learned to share, follow, lead, and be cautious which has also helped me as an adult.

Childhood is a major leap toward adulthood and if play is motivated, encouraged, and freely expressible children are able to develop and learn the important matters in life in order to strive in future ambitions.