My Connections to Play

There are two quotes that I have selected that summarize what play represents for me in my childhood.

“The most effective kind of education is that a child should play amongst lovely things.” – Plato

This quote is applicable to my childhood because play was a very effective way for me to learn and become educated on a variety of levels.

“You can do anything with children if only you play with them”- Anonymous, German Proverbs.

This quote is also applicable to my childhood because I was able to accomplish many things and learn a variety of skills because my parents, siblings, friends, and peers played with me on a constant basis.

There are many things that I played with at a child that allowed me grow and develop. However, three of my most essential play items were legos, books, and my Barbie dolls and Barbie dream house. These items are featured below.

Play was extremely important within my childhood. Although video games were just becoming popular during this time, my brother, my friends, and I spent the majority of our time using our imaginations and creativity and participating in cognitive play, physical play, and other forms of play that have been described within the course. All of these types of play were supported by our parents, peers, educators, and the entire community.

In some ways, play is similar today as it was during my childhood. However, there are many more differences. Play in today’s world is very focused on whether it is or not age appropriately and politically correct. At the same time, play today relies much more on technology and does not challenge children socially, physically, or in terms of his or her imagination.  The differences aside, it is believed that play has been a very important part of my life and remains to be very important of children of today in order to ensure healthy growth and development on a variety of levels.