"My Connections to Play."

Quotes I you feel summarize what play represented in my childhood. “Play is the highest form of research.” – Albert Einstein “Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.” – O. Fred Donaldson STRONG SUPPORT My parents were strong supporter in different forms of play time for me and my siblings. My father worked at the steel mills and worked different shifts. In the summer time when he had the weekends off he would take us to the parks, where would meet other family members. We had cook outs and play in the sandboxes, climb trees and have races. He also would take us to the Chicago museums; there we would have picnics and go on bike rides along Lakeshore Drive. If it were a rainy day my mother would help us set the kitchen up into a grocery store. She would help me make purses out of aluminum foil and give us coins for our register. We helped my mother in the garden and we would have our own section. One year we had a pumpkin patch and we decorated them for Halloween. My parents were always looking for ways we would be able to play and interact with others. In the winter we were outdoors making igloos and having snowball fights. We would come in and she would have hot chocolate with cheese and crackers waiting for us. Our play station was outside. Play today is different for our children. In many households both parents have to work to make ends meet. They work long hours which leaves little time for the children to play outdoors. With technology we find more children on the computers playing game, watching television or on their electronic games. The art of outdoor play even in school is fading out. My fondest memory of being young was play time. Through play I was able to be creative, use my imagination and explore. In my adulthood I understand how important play is in a child’s life. As parents we encouraged and made time for my children to play outdoors. Explore and travel. As a teacher I encourage play as a form of learning. Many children tell their parents they play all day however; the parents see an increase in their child’s vocabulary, social/emotional skills and academic skills. I give the credit to their success to the art of “play”. Reference http://www.oneperfectdayblog.net/2013/02/21/quotes-about-the-importance-of-play/