“Play is the highest form of research.” ~ Albert Einstein
As a child the toys I remember playing with all the time were baby dolls, stuffed animals, and my Big Wheel trike! I still have many of my stuffed animals, they were a source of comfort and fun for many years! As the youngest child I was often excluded by my older sisters, so I was left to play on my own. I think that is why I enjoyed playing with my stuffed animals so much. They were the best playmates a child could have!
In my opinion, parents are more guarded today in terms of play. As a child I played with the neighborhood kids and my parents called me when it was time to come in. Summer meant being outside, and winter meant being outside. Snowmen, building forts, hide and seek. We resolved problems on our own. We argued and made up, we rode bikes, and counted our mosquito bites each night like a badge of honor. Now I think children are becoming little adults to quickly. They are in close proximity to adults quite frequently or engaging with multimedia more frequently. This lack of interaction with peers, and constant inundation to media is frightening. I hope that children can continue to enjoy the little time they have to be children. Through imagination, activity, and fun they learn so much, more than watching Dora the Explorer, playing on Nick Jr.com, or exploring the newest games on their parents smartphones.
I recognize as an adult that unstructured play with my stuffed animals and peers allowed me to learn many useful tools. I was able to practice socializing with my animals, then put into practice these tools with my peers. As an adult, I learned from the relationships I had with my peers as a child. Problem -solving, conflict management, and basic survival skills really are all tools I can attribute to play.
Hi Mandy
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, that children learn so much more through fantasy play than they would sitting watching television or playing other mindless games. While I acknowledge that there are games out there that challenge children's thinking and help support other learning skills, I think that one needs to make more time for the physical play and restrict gadget time. I find that there is nothing more rewarding than being physically and socially engaged in a game that one has created and is directing.