My Connections To Play

Play is our brain's favorite way of learning.

-Diane Ackerman
Contemporary American author

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

-Kay Redfield Jamison
Contemporary American professor of psychiatry

 

When I was a child, it was safe to go outside with other neighborhood kids and walk around, go to the park, the creek, ride bikes, play tag, run around, and play in the streets. I grew up in the country and it was perfectly normal to be outside playing; someone was always "keeping an eye" on us. My grandparents allowed us to stay out as long as we wanted, we only had one rule, and that was be inside before dark. My family supported my play by allowing me to explore my environment. I was not confined to my yard or backyard, I could actually walk the neighborhood, go to the park, and I preferred to do so over watching TV. Play taught me to be aware of my surroundings, how to share, how to entertain myself, how to maintain relationships, and how to be creative.

Play today is very different, people are not as trustworthy as they were back then. There are a lot more instances of kidnapping, rape, abuse, and molestation. You really cannot let your kids go outside without your supervision, and they can not go too far away from home. With the advancement of technology, children have a since of security in their home, watching tv, playing video games, and snacking. It is really not safe to allow your children to wonder the neighborhood. Play has to be very contained now and limited to few hours, inside a gate, under supervision, etc. Many children do not like the heat, the outdoors, or anything dealing with nature; and it is very unfortunate. Seditary lifestyles aid in increased obesity rates and laziness.

My hope is that parents will engage in play with their children, venture out with them, explore and teach them to enjoy their surroundings instead of being afraid. Relationships are fostered through play; children learn how to build, maintain, and mediate in relationships. Play allows children to use and explore depths of their imagination and become engaged in imaginary play; they learn how to be self sufficient and reliant. Play enables children to learn so much and its unfortunate that children now do not have the freedom to explore and be comfortable in their environment. Play into adulthood allows us to teach our children and other children how to play, explore, use their imagination, etc. By teaching others we are revisiting the area and stimulating our creativity. If we continue to use play into adulthood we will never lose that creative spark.