My Connections to Play

My Connections to Play

Growing up in the 1950’s and 1960’s as a young child was very different as what children do with their early years today in 2012.

To start with here are two quotes from Disney that summarize what play was to me.

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing."

“When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do. And one thing it takes to accomplish something is courage."

Favorite things I did when I was a child

When I was a child growing up in the 50’s and 60’s there was no television.  We would get up in the morning, eat breakfast, make our beds and then it was play time.  We played outside and used our imaginations and created our fun and games. I remember growing up in war time and we played a lot of war.  We were soldiers and GI Joe was the hero.  We dug many holes and go dirty and muddy. Parents, neighbors and other adults supported children in play.  There was not that many choices and life seemed simple.  We had to make each day exciting. I know that being allowed to make my own choices and express my creativity has led me into adulthood with a creative, fun, spunky, yet responsible outlook on life.  I am always empowering others to laugh and use their creative juices, as we are all just children in larger bodies.

Today I do not see many similarities with play.  Today children are required to go to lessons, such as dance, karate, football, baseball, soccer, tutor for this and that.  It seems that technology has taken away the personal creativity of the young child.  Children are not active and they sit a lot and do not run and jump.  Most children do not even get their hands dirty.

I feel that we as educators, parents, friends, grandparents, need to show and take a stand for these children and allow the creativity and turn off the television and learn to talk to our children.