Play represents me as a younger child through this quote by Almon, 2002 "creative play is a central activity in the lives of healthy children". The second quote by Almon, 2002 "Their learning is a
combination of their own deep inner drive to grow and learn coupled with their imitation of
the adults in their environment". Both quotes represent me as a younger child because I was always imitating my mother or something that I had experienced. The people that supported play for me when I was younger was my parents. They were very positive about the type of play that I demonstrated. My mother told me that the way I demonstrated play showed her that I was caring and affectionate towards other people. She was right because because I am a mother to so many children outside of my own and I am always willing to help anyone feel better.
Play is different from when I was a younger child. There were physical exercise in our curriculum at school and we had better controlled after school programs to help keep us in shape. We also played outside after school to stay active, until dinner was ready. All of these things have been taken away due to lifestyle changes, technology and environmental influences. Children are not free to explore their minds or the world around them. Everything that a child does in the classroom today is based on academics, not on who they are developing into. Many children do not get a chance to be themselves and enjoy childhood. Since technology is so advanced now, even the younger minds are using computers for everything. Technology has weakened the minds of children by doing everything for them. It seems to me that a child cannot even think for themselves anymore due to everything being done for them. I used to create games, drawings or paintings on my own just to use my imagination, but now children do not have an option.
The role of play have so many benefits because we as a child can use our imagination and explore the options of who we want to become as an adult. Play can help a child like me get to know their feelings and what they are good at. The role of play as an adult gives me the opportunity to observe what children are feeling inside.
Tammie,
ReplyDeletePlay seems different to me today as well. Technology has taken exploring out of play. We use it all the time but it doesn't allow for much drawing, painting, or coloring that we were use to as children. I mentioned in my blog I enjoyed coloring on a large chalkboard as a child and the my family would buy the paintings from me. I was quite an entrepreneur at a young age. I still enjoying drawing and coloring. I love to sit with my students and draw with them and color one page of a coloring book while they color the other. Children do not get the exercise they need. For many children above kindergarten recess is no more. It's so sad, I can't understand how we expect the brain to function if it sits all day. Watching children play can tell us so much about them, ourselves, and our world in general if we only let them play. I'm sure are a wonderful mom like your parents told you, you would be. :)
Ginny