It is a happy talent to know how to play.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
American writer
1803–1882
American writer
1803–1882
Do not…keep children to their studies by compulsion but by play.
Plato
Greek philosopher
427–347 BC
Greek philosopher
427–347 BC
My memories of playing as a child varies according to the country I was in.
In the country I was born, Lebanon, I have fond memories of our few summers in my father's home town where we could roam the town unsupervised and play hide and seek, or cops and robbers in our entire block. We were unattended by parents, but surrounded by friends and cousins all the time. This play was supported by allowing us to be free and be outdoors.
When we started spending summers in England, my memories are of us at the neighboring park playing on the swings for long periods of time. This playtime only happened when my mother had help from relatives who would come and walk us to the park. My aunts, my father and my cousins supported this kind of play, by taking us to the park.
My mother supported our play in a very creative way, she would play games with us at home. We played with cardboard boxes for weeks one summer, and loved every minute of it, thanks to my mom. She had no hesitation in transforming the house and moving furniture so that we could play.
My aunt sent me a box full of barbie dolls one summer, because my cousin had outgrown them, and this was my play focus for years to come. I don't know if my aunt or cousin realize how much they supported my pretend play with that gesture.
My closest friend in high school loved to roller skate and her mother was always happy to pick me up so that we could play together for hours on our skates. She was a huge support for allowing time to play together.
It worries me that these days children have so many materialistic temptations and attachments that are related to play and their happiness. In addition, they are drawn to electronics for play time and there is less and less child directed free play altogether. Playdates are now scheduled into busy schedules, and group play is often as an organized sport. My concerns are that children don't have the creativity and impulsiveness that the previous generations had with regards to life --- and hence their play. My concern is that children are more drawn to a computer game than an empty cardboard box, which diminishes their creativity.
What has not changed is children's eagerness to play, and their physical and mental capabilities for play. Once a child knows how to ride a bicycle, the thrill remains the same. Once they are swinging high, they giggle with joy. When they rough and tumble, they come out happy.
I love the saying "We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing" by George Bernard Shaw; and this summarizes my views on play. I feel strongly that play feeds the mind, the heart and the body. So whether we are playing hide and seek, or tennis or backgammon - we are enriching our lives. And better yet, if we play with someone, we enrich their lives as well. It is a wonderful way to stay connected, happy, challenged and entertained.
Zeina,
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
We played outside as well, but mostly in the front yard. We grew up playing at my grandparents home in their huge front yard. There was also land that belonged to my great-grandmother that we played in as well (more woodsy). We took whatever was available in the yard to play with. Mostly sticks, since there were many trees, and rocks. I am just remembering that my Granddad put a tire swing out front for us to play with. It is a wonder the branch held up because we would push each other furiously on that swing. We had a great time playing! And I agree the youngsters today miss the creativity and exploration of going outside and picking up a rock or building a castle with cardboard boxes. They miss stimulating their imagination for the possibilities of play (and future success) when they are sitting in the house watching TV or playing video games.
As I am thinking, I grew up in the country so the space was wide and varied, but most children today probably grow up in apartment buildings with limited play space or a small playground. But I believe that this is where bikes come into play and parents taking their children to the park to explore the nature trails, swing, merry go round and interact with peers. There is just not excuse for children not playing.
I understand the need for organized sports, youth learning team work, following rules, discipline, and self-control, but this type of 'play' reminds me more and more of standardized testing, leaving little to no room for creativity. This type of sport is leaning more toward being good, so you can play in high school, prepare for scouts, play for college and hopefully lead to a professional career in the sport. A means to an end, which isn't bad if that is what the child wants, but sometimes it is what the parents want.
I love that you ended your post with playing enriches our lives and others when we engage them. That is great! Play it like eating, it is good to eat alone, but it is better when you have people to share it with! Keep playing!
Stephanie
Zeina,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post and all the quotes you posted about play. I am glad that I wasn't the only one who enjoyed playing in boxes. The best part about the box was it could be whatever, I wanted it to be. I have to agree playing in a box definitely stretches the imagination and lets creativity flow, something that children who are stuck to electronics all the time may not get the opportunity to experience.
Randee