Play energizes us and enlivens us. It eases our burdens. It renews our natural sense of optimum and opens us up to new possibilities.
Stuart Brown, MD
Contemporary American psychiatrist
Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.
Fred Rogers
American television personality
1928-2003
My sister and I enjoyed playing Barbie together. We would play with the Barbie's house and design it. Barbie had a car where we would pretend she was driving to the store or the beach. I had a giraffe that was just as tall as me when I was three years old. That was my favorite stuffed animal. I would pretend to ride it. My grandfather bought my sister and I "My Little Ponies". We would play with our ponies at my grandparents house during the summer. We would pretend they would run in a field.
My family loved how my sister and I played together very well. We are two and a half years apart. My family bought us toys we could play with together. We had video games and a computer. My sister and I enjoyed playing Barbie, riding our bikes, painting and coloring. My family provided us with the opportunities and materials for us to play.
Play has changed due to the increase of technology. Many families do not regulate the use of technology and encourage their children go outside to play. Early childhood professionals can help parents find a balance between technology play and imaginary play. Technology for children has increased dramatically in recent years. The toys have changed also. Some board games have been modified to include a component of technology. Technology has changed how children play from when I was a child.
I hope early childhood professionals can help families find a balance between playing with technology and imaginary play. Families seem to have less opportunities to play together due to the demands of their careers and lack of understanding for the need children have to release energy/frustration through play. Children with special needs usually have accommodations for frequent breaks which allows them to get up to move more often than their typically developing peers. Children need opportunities to play which should reduce challenging behaviors in the classroom. Society needs to be mindful about the impact play has on a child's development.
Play encourages children to use their imagination. When children use imaginary play, they have the opportunity to develop creative ideas. Play also helps children adapt socially. Children which have the opportunity to use imaginary play become productive and effective members of society.
"It takes a village to raise a child." -African Proverb-
Rohzawne,
ReplyDeletePlay has changed due to technology. Even though I know that, I still buy my children games and ipods. But I also make sure they have the opportunity to enjoy the outside. When I was a little girl I had an easy bake oven. It was brown and made of metal. My niece got one for Christmas one year and I was so excited because I still had mine. When I pulled mine out of the storage building and set it up beside her pretty pink one she said, "Auntie, what is that?" I told her that I had saved it just in case I had a daughter or a niece like her. She said, "Umm, how old did you say you were?" It was so funny because I could see how things had changed just by the toys.
Rohzawne-I had a Barbie house too that I loved to play with and a bright pink convertible for her to cruise around in too. It's fun to think back on those memories! I think it is really important for families and teachers to find a good mix between technology and the outdoors. Technology isn't going anywhere and it's important to teach children how to properly use it and monitor them while they are using it.
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