My Connections to Play

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

(Fransorin, 2012).

By, Kay Redfield Jamison

“Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn”

(Fransorin, 2012).

By O. Fred Donaldson

As a child, my most memorable moments include playing in the snow with my classmates (during sleepovers), neighborhood friends, and family.  I will also hold my fondest memories, of creative cooking, with my grandmother, forever in my heart.  If I had to choose the biggest supporters of play in my life as a child, I would have to say it was my father and my grandmother.  My mother worked a lot (outside of the home) and my dad had a part-time passion for working on cars.  He had a garage on our property and in the evenings when he came home from work, as a mechanical engineer, he would spend hours out there working and repairing other peoples vehicles.

I know that my father allowed us (my brother and I) to play at our leisure because it kept us out of his way.  He was not aware that he was playing such an intricate part in our social-emotional and physical development.  Thanks Dad! My grandmother, on the other hand, was very wise in her choices to allow countless hours of play.  What I mean by saying, “she was wise”, is that my grandmother introduced the concept of guided play to me.  One thing that is different in today’s society, than years ago, is that we tend not to notice our children’s talents and interest when they are playing.  We don’t have time or we don’t take the time.  I believe that children will tell or show you early in life what their purpose is in life; if only we could stop and pay attention.

My grandmother noticed early in my life that I had a talent in the use of my hands.  She always said that anything I touched would turn into gold.   I have been told over the years that I am an awesome cook.  I know that could only be possible because of my grandmothers choice to exercise patience and allow me to play with her in the kitchen and create meals and desserts (some unfit to eat).  I have owned three restaurants in my lifetime and I currently pride myself in providing healthy home cooked meals for my children (at home and in my childcare facility).

My thoughts about the role that play has throughout one's life is simple, “Deep meaning lies often in childish play,” by Johann Friedrich von Schille (Fransorin, 2012).  If we as professionals, nurturers, parents, and educators would put more time and energy into allowing our children to develop themselves during play during their early; perhaps we could save a lot of time on the back end (our adulthood) trying to figure out our passion and path.

References:

Fransorin. (2012). 50 Inspirational Quotes About Play That Will Jump Start Your Creativity.

     Retrieved from:  http://www.fransorin.com/50-inspirational-quotes-abou-play-that-will-jump-start-your-creativity/