MY CONNECTION TO PLAY

“Play is the highest expression of

human development in childhood,

for it alone is the free expression of

what is in a child’s soul.”

                                                                   ~ Fredrick Froebel

I found this quote quite a few years ago in one of my favorite books, titled Tumbling Over the Edge – A Rant for Child’s Play, written by Bev Bos and Jenny Chapman.  I refer to this quote quite often in my course assignments over the years as it sums up my philosophy of early childhood education and the importance of play in a child’s development.

As a child care provider, comments have been made repeatedly over the last twenty-two years such as “You don’t work, you play all day.” or “One day you will need to get a real job.”  I,  in turn, educate them on how lucky I am to have had the opportunity to play for the last twenty-two years while operating a licensed family child care program.

Reference

Bos, B. J., & Chapman, J. (2005). Tumbling over the edge: a rant for children's play. Roseville, CA: Turn the Page Press.

"Play is often talked about as if it were a relief

from serious learning. But for children play is

serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood."

                                                                   ~ Fred Rogers

Play, according to developmentalists, is the most productive and enjoyable activity in which children undertake.  Play is considered universal since it is apparent in every part of the world and has been for thousands of years (Berger, 2009). 

Child-initiated play lays the foundations of learning.  Through play, children learn to interact with others, to recognize and solve problems, and to feel the sense of mastery that results.  Basically, play helps children make sense of and find their own place in the physical and social world (Alliance for Childhood, 2005).

Play is closely linked to children’s intellectual, social, emotional, and physical progress.  Decades of research has demonstrated that active childhood play boosts healthy development across a broad spectrum of critical areas.  The benefits are so impressive that every day of childhood should be a day for play (Alliance for Childhood, 2005).

References

Berger, K. S. (2009). In The developing person through childhood. New York: Worth.

Alliance for Childhood, C. D. (2005). Time for play, every day: It's Fun – and fundamental. Alliance for Childhood.

Thinking back to when I was younger, I remember there not really being a choice – if it was sunny out – we were outside for the day involved in some type of activity with our friends during the school vacation times.  We were each called in for lunch and snacks and then off we went again until dinner time.  When we were in school this was the case as well once homework was completed.  Of course, this was in the 70’s when there was not 100’s of television stations, computers, Internet, cell phones, or video game systems.  I remember on days when the weather was not good and we were inside making tents, forts, playing school with all my dolls, or just relaxing and reading.  I remember puddle jumping in the rain when the weather was warm enough and being outside in the snow building snowmen, snow forts, and making snow angels. We were encouraged to use our imaginations to their fullest potential.  Each of our friends homes were also like our homes and we all took turns going from house to house depending on what we were doing that particular day.

The difference I see today is that children are not allowed to just be children.  Play has now become a structured activity coordinated to provide the ultimate education for the children.  I take a lot of criticism for allowing the children to have at least two parts of the day when they can just play.  They have their choices of what they want to do and as long as they are safe and happy, the toys, books, blankets, pillows, etc. are there for them.  I make sure I limit movies and television as well.  I believe with all the technology that is now available as well as all the toys that are out there, it is our job as educators, parents, guardians, etc… to make sure there is a healthy balance for the children.