MY CONNECTIONS TO PLAY

“My Connections to Play” by Diana Cox

QUOTES= what play represented for me in my childhood.

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

There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in.

Graham Greene

PICTURES OF ESSENTIAL PLAY ITEMS FOR MYSELF WHEN I WAS YOUNGER=

 Mrs. Beasley doll was from the 1972 TV show Family Affair. Mrs. Beasley was there for Cissy after her mother died. I had many losses in my childhood and I felt like Cissy, Mrs. Beasley was the only one there for me.

 This is the Chrissy Doll, 1970’s she was given to me and became my best friend; she and I had many adventures. She was one of my first students as I played teacher. J Who would have know that I would grow up to become a teacher? Chrissy is still with me today. She sits and watches over me as I complete my homework each week.

These two toys are something that I spent many hours playing with the one on the right allowed me to enhance my “teaching” skills the one on the left enhanced my “imagination” skills.

HOW THE ROLE OF PLAY WAS FOR MYSELF WHEN I WAS YOUNGER:

There was not a lot of people who supported me in my play when I was younger. I was pretty much left to fend for myself in my childhood. The role of play in my childhood was something I enjoyed with the neighborhood kids. I spent many hours running climbing trees, making “mud pies”, taking whatever we had in the yard and making “a grocery store” and having customers check out.

TODAY'S PLAY VS PLAY WHEN I WAS GROWING UP:

Play today is so different from when I grew up. When I grew up I was outside from the time the sun came up till the street light came on. As a child we made up games, found ways to keep us busy. Days were spent outside except for in the winter. And usually then we spent time between friends’ houses. We stayed at different friends’ houses until we drove their mothers crazy. Play was so important when I was young. I learned so much through imaginary play spent many hours imagining what my adult life would be. Today’s children are so wrapped up in technology that no one gets outdoors. They are worried about what the new trend is; and how they can conquer the next level in that video game. The games live little to imagination. Virtual reality is what is replayed the imagination of the child.

PLAY THROUGHOUT MY LIFE AND THE ROLE IN ADULTHOOD:

The roles of play through my life, and how it has played in my into my adulthood; I would have to say that I believe play has kept my heart young. I have found that working with children has kept me very young. I have found how pretending with children and giving them the childhood I never had has lead me to where I am now in my adult life. I am in a position to foster and help children’s lives grow. I am so grateful for this opportunity to help someone else in their lives, and their imagination.