My
Connections to Play
People tend to forget that play is serious.
David Hockney
Contemporary British painter
“We don’t stop playing because we grow
old; we grow old because we stop playing.” George
Bernard Shaw
Growing up playing was not an option. I
can remember that teachers would motivate the class to complete all of their
work without door time. I remember all
of my elementary school; teacher playing with us not watching us. My parents were hugely supportive of
play. My parent would send us outside
and the only time we would come back is to use the bathroom or to eat. My parents encouraged me and my three
siblings to try any sport that we were curious about. I love that growing up there were no cell
phones, there were no Ipads. Just
sidewalk chalk and Barbies. Kid’s today
love to play the same as we did. Their toys
are different my entertaining and more realistic, but they are still toys. Nothing will ever take the place of a good
ole checker board, and kids will never get tired of a good game of hide and
seek. I think as the adults we have to
show children the endless possibilities of play and that making a fort out of your
mom’s dining room table and chairs and sheets is just as fun today as it was 30
years ago. I think we need to take the
focus off getting up and getting outside to play to combat childhood obesity
but instead encourage getting your kids up and out and showing they can have
fun! It’s my belief if you learn how to play as a child you will always be able
to tap into the playful side of life. A
person has their entire life to be grown up, but only a brief moment in time to
be a child. Learn to love playing and
you will love life.
Oh my goodness! I loved Mousercise!! I also made forts out of the dining room table, which thankfully my own kids do too with a little guidance from the pro!
ReplyDeleteHi Haley
ReplyDeleteI think your closing statement sums play up very well .. "Learn to love playing and you will love life." It is so easy to get caught up in doing things that keep us so busy, rushing to fit everything in, in the hope we are doing the best thing for our children. I wonder what bearing this might have on the increase in the number of mental health issues that exist world wide. Have people forgotten how to play or have they never learned to play and enjoy life? You are so right when you say children love to play just as we did, and yes their toys may look very different, others still the same, we just need to remember to give them time and space to do so.
Thank you for sharing!! These pictures are amazing! You took me way back...I also remember when teachers interacted and played with us as children. I remember wanting to go to school because learning was fun!
ReplyDeleteHaley great blog. Cabbage patch kids really brings back memories, I use to love their baby powder smell. You are right, when you are able to play as children, you can tap into your inner play. I know I always play with my own children, keeps me going.
ReplyDelete