My Connections to Play

Quotes that summarize what play represented to me in childhood:

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

Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.  Fred Rogers

Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.  Kay Redfield Jamison

                                             Ball

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Jump Rope

Video Games

When I was younger I grew up in Trinidad so I didn’t attend school until I was in elementary. The only time we had for play was during recess time for thirty min. a day. We had no activity that involved play in the classroom. In the classroom the focus was books. Play time was not allowed much when I was a child, but I see how beneficial the role of play is through my children and my students. For me, play is more accepted and encouraged today, than when I grew up. Children are required to have a certain amount of play time a day. Most of the time, that is when their personality comes into effect and blossom. They learn a lot from their peers like communication or language skills for example.

As an adult I truly believe that play so still important, no matter what the age of the individual. Just because we are adults we still have skills we could still expand on our everyday skills. Play is a way to interact and be social. We learn from each other no matter what age the individual is. For me play can be a group of adults going out for lunch or going bowling with each other. I have always been a social butterfly and I believe I learned from every individual I came in contact with.

I have two boys and I know much of their learning comes through play. For example, my three year old communication skills (speaking, etc.) expanded when he went to school and was around other children. Play is very much encouraged in our household