“The most effective kind of education is that a child should play amongst lovely things.”
Plato
"Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning....They have to play with what they know to be true in order to find out more, and then they can use what they learn in new forms of play. --Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood
My mother was my number one supporter during play time. I would also include two of my cousins as another huge supporter. I grew up an only child, so I was constantly looking for someone to play with. I would play with my two cousins from the moment we were together, up until the last minute before we departed. My mother, who at that time was a stay at home mom, would spend plenty of time playing with me. Although, when all else failed, I would play by myself and use imaginary play.
I often compare my childhood to my younger cousins. I feel play is a lot different now and it is constantly changing. When I was growing up video games were becoming very popular, although, I was never a true fan. However, video games didn’t consume children like they do presently. To me, there was nothing like going outside playing soccer or riding my bike in the park. It seems that more parents encouraged children to go outside and play games and get some exercise when I was growing up. Currently, it seems that everything has to be electronic. Children are getting cells phones in the 2nd and 3rd grade, which provide some of them with internet access in their hands. Children prefer to stay on social websites for consecutive hours instead of going outside and experiencing nature. My hope for children now, is that they enjoy old-fashion play. I feel there should be a happy median between going outside playing a game and staying inside playing video games. Indeed, I can't fault the children. I think sometimes parents becomes caught up in the mindset of giving their children everything they didn't have and more. In saying that, parents forget about the small things like encouraging their child to go out and play and simple activities.
Play was a very important role in my life. As I think back it appears how you play, sets part of your character for how you act when you become an adult. At one point in time, I had turned into a tomboy. Although, when I think about the sports and activities I take part in, I still have my tomboy tendencies. Play gives the opportunity to find ourselves and our personality. If I hadn’t been exposed to the different variations of play, I think I would be missing a part of myself.
