Childhood Connections to lay

“Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.”  Fred Donaldson

“A child’s play is not simply a reproduction of what he has experienced, but a creative reworking of the impressions he has acquired.” Vygotsky

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” Fred Rogers

 

         

As a child, we were encouraged to be outside to play.

Play was an essential part of our days as a child. We were always outside riding bikes or doing something. My parents encouraged me to create and be imaginative. My mom would provide my sister and I with things that helped to build our imagination and encouraged us to be creative. We were always given the space that we needed to explore and learn about the world around us. My parents provided us with developmentally appropriate things to play with.

I believe that there are definitely differences between play now and when I was a child.  For one thing back when I was a kid we were able to have more freedoms than kids today have. We could go outside, walk to a friend’s house, and not worry about what might happen. We were allowed to play and interact with the things around us. We needed less push to go outside. It has gotten to a point where parents have to make their kids get out and play. The toys we had were a lot less technical than the ones are today. Play is so important in a child’s development. I believe that it is also important for adults to play when they can.