"My Connections to Play"

“Play is the beginning of knowledge.” ~ Anonymous

“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 (Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood)

As the years pass by I think about the times I shared playing with friends and even sometimes alone.  I can remember how my parents would love to send us out side to play.  They would sit on the front porch and watch us run, jump swing, play in dirt, play ball etc. It was fun to be able to go outside and just have good ole fun.  I can remembe making mud pies, mud cakes, make believing that I was a cook, teacher, playing kick ball, doctor, just what ever I wanted to be I was it.  I enjoyed playing teacher and cashier of a store.  However, sometimes my mother or grandmother would sit and watch us but would also take the time out to play with us to. 

I feel play allow me a chance to explore and it helped me to determined what it was I wanted to be when I grew up.  I feel I had fun playing in my growing up days and now it is totally different from the things we did then and now. My child to be an example probably would never go out side and play in the mud the way I did or even take the time now he is ten to pretend to play doctor or thing of that sort. His focus is mainly on the video games and watching televsion.  I have notice when I go out side with him to play basketball he enjoys it, because I guess we are actually playing together instead of him playing alone. 

Children barely want to go out side to explore, play sports etc. their interest in outdoor play is very limited.  Some children could care less if they went outside at all to play.  Wow, things has changed. The children that are in my classroom are eagered to go out and explore and play on the different play ground equipments.  They enjoy their time spent outside and hate to come inside. I believe play is good for the young and old.