My Connections to Play

Play is our brain's favorite way of learning.

Diane Ackerman
Contemporary American author

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

O. Fred Donaldson
Contemporary American martial arts master

The two play items that I have chosen to include with this blog are my baby pillow and my teddy bear.  Both items are extremely dear to me, and both items were involved in my play throughout my childhood.  My baby pillow could become home plate in a kickball game, a magic carpet during fantasy play, or a bed for one of my dolls.  My teddy bear was always my “star student” while I was teaching my stuffed animals. 

Two people who supported play when I was younger were my mother and my sister.  Play was very important in my childhood.  My mother supported my play by providing me with two chalkboards and endless supplies of white and colored chalk that I used to “teach” my stuffed animals and dolls.  She would also encourage play by taking me and my siblings to the neighborhood park to play.  At our river house, my sister and I would build sand castles for hours on the dirt road in front of our cottage while my mother watched and brought us more buckets or cups of water.  My sister supported my play by being my constant playmate.  She went along with my imaginary games and scenarios, and I went along with her creative games and dramatic play experiences. I learned how to play fairly and not-so-fairly from her.  I also learned how to think and reason for myself, how to play by the rules, and how to let my imagination run wild.   

In today’s world, I think play has become much more structured.  It seems to be organized around sports practices.  Play also appears to be centered on video games or electronic devices.  Although, some parents arrange playdates for their children, these gatherings are often adult-directed and leave little time for the children to play freely.  Although play at school still occurs, the amount of time devoted to play has lessened than when I was in school. 

In my opinion, play helps to develop one’s cognitive, social, and physical skills.  Play teaches you how to be creative and think for yourself.  It also teaches you how to interact with others.  Play teaches problem-solving skills.  All of these skills are important for one’s healthy development throughout their childhood and into adulthood.