"If it's not fun, you're not doing it right."
Author: Bob Basso
"Play is the work of childhood." Author: Unknown
"To imagine the unimaginable is the highest use of the imagination."
Author: Cynthia Ozick
When I look back at my childhood. I do see that we could play in the neighborhood with our friends. We were allowed to have friends and we would sometimes come together and play in the sand and we also did chores like fetching water together, which our families needed, and children were the ones who helped to do this. As long as we are in our friend's company, it is still fun.
With others in the community we would rule six squares in the sand ans there was a way we would jump and skip that determined whether you won or lost. We also played a girls' game called, ten- ten, in which we are actively clapping and throwing legs, and you either win or loose by the leg you put forward, if it is left or right. My parents allowed us to go and play once we are done with our chores, I do not remember coming home with homework from school that early, 6yrs and +.
Some weekends, Dad would also take us out to the beach or to the amusement park and those told me a lot that I was loved and cared for. We were allowed to make choices and we would spend the whole day in one adventure after the other.
Oh, I remember the universal play that every girl child plays. Pretend play as mums, who cooks for her dear children. empty cans were the pots and enough broomsticks are available for to function as spoons.
Play now is different, although, occasionally we find some of what we used to have. The gender pretend play of girls adoring their dolls. We still find the pretend cooking. However, we find these days children who would rather stay in front of the screen. I wish that everyone understood the essence of creative, constructive play so that we encourage better development in our children.
Like Rivera Miquela (2009) said in The Powerful Effect of Play IN A CHILD'S EDUCATION
, Play in adolescence shifts slowly to "work" that continues into adulthood. Unfortunately, some people trade their "childish toys" for a "career," unwittingly setting aside the activity that fostered their creativity, enabled their growth, and taught them important lessons. Fortunate are those whose career is a form of play - mastery and continued building of competence-for which one gets paid! This is my idea of quality life, for my carrer to be a form of play. I believe that adults need time to unwind and free their minds like children.
Praise,
ReplyDeleteI have seen so many parallels between my childhood experiences and those of others. It seems that play of yesteryear can be summed up a fun and carefree. Unfortunately, play has changed drastically for children of today, although many well informed parents strive to protect that magical period in their child's development.
I agree with the great opportunity it is to have a career that involves play. Many people do trade that childhood play for a career and lose the essence of the joy of being playful and experiencing new things through play even in their adult years.
ReplyDeleteHI Praise, I miss having you in class this round, glad we can connect via our blogs. The more I have read I have to question is it that play has changed so much, have children's values changed or is it that society is evolving, and our perceptions of the quality of play and what constitutes play is still being compared to our own experiences? Hmmm...food for thought. I have been toiling with this question all morning.
ReplyDeleteJeannie,
DeletePlay has changed from what we experienced in our time of childhood, but children's value hasn't in a sense. Children still want to explore, and with our understanding of what child development is, some experiences are extremely vital at some point in children's life that will ensure optimal development. Some things are responsible for the kind of outcome children become, like the kind of childhood you described.
All the same, our world is evolving and I know we cannot go back to whatever we used to have. I am in wonder of what this generation will look like as adults, they would not be out of place, they will generate their own trend.
Praise,
ReplyDeleteAlthough we reside in different part of the world, I found a lot of similarities in the forms of play that you were engaged in as a child. On the other hand, you have open my eyes to some of the different types of games and activities. One thing has certainly changed here in my region...child now are coming home with homework as early as 4!