"Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the Game" - Michael Jordan
Important toys to me as a child:
My American Girl doll, Felicity. I loved this doll and it went everywhere I did.
I loved tea parties and collected all types of tea sets!
I have always been an a hardcore swimmer, so even at a young age the pool was an important item of play for me!
I was always encouraged to play as a child. I was encouraged to be involved in all sorts of actives that encouraged me to play, from camps to drama to informal play dates. My dad would always go out of his way to play with me, and my sister and I use to play together constantly.
Play today is very similar to when I was young even though the types of toys are different. I believe that even though new things are added the basic parts of play never changes. I just hope that play is always encouraged and never goes completely a way from school settings, it is too important to lose.
Play has had a very important role in my life. I plan to one day be a drama therapist. Play is a very important part of theater and therapy. It allows us to open up and learn in a safe environment, our need for this never goes away no matter how old we become.
I am actually shocked to see an American Girl on your list of toys! However, I guess you are probably at least 9 years younger than me! (I still see myself as about 23.) I am very pleased to see a physical activity on your list. I love to incorporate physical activities with my own kids. It burns off energy and teaches social skills. Great post!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I forgot to mention that I think is important for children to incorporate dramatic play. My kids love to dress up and use their imaginations.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your comment about tea parties. I loved them as well growing up. Children need to be introduced to more play as we did as children.
ReplyDeleteI love your post! I hope too that play is not lost. But, these days it seems to appears less and less in children's lives as it is being cut out of school programs. It breaks my heart!
ReplyDeleteI remember how badly I wanted an American Girl doll as a child. The pool was also an important play time for me that I forgot to post. Some of my best memories from being a child were at the pool and playing with all of my cousins. Thank you for posting how play today is similar to when we all were growing up. I think we focus so much on the video games and computers that we forget about all the other times that children are playing. I always think of my nephews as playing video games but when they left my house and I started to clean up, I realized how many toys were scattered throughout my house! I too hope that play is not completely taken away from the school day and hope that child centered curriculum will start showing up more.
ReplyDeleteJust play. Have fun. Enjoy the Game" - Michael Jordan
ReplyDeleteI believe this really sums up how we all feel when we play. Thanks for the quote. As I read other blogs, I see the same thing, we had support, we had fun and how play was important to us. Things have changes so much and I feel that play is lost. The children are being entertain instead of going out and running, exploring, and seeing what the world is about.
Thanks again for the quote. Love the post.
Sandra