Let's Play

           My Connections to Play

“The most effective kind of education is that a child should

play amongst lovely things.”

~ Plato

"If you are a dreamer come in 
If you are a dreamer a wisher a liar 
A hoper a pray-er a magic-bean-buyer 
If youre a pretender com sit by my fire 
For we have some flax golden tales to spin 
Come in! 
Come in!" 
— Shel Silverstein

n  I always felt there was something more to what I wanted to do as a child; I wanted to engage in play that opened my imagination; I wanted to create. I wanted to play with friends that were willing to play beyond what was available to us.  Our thoughts and our mind was our playground and we could spend time doing just that, dreaming possibilities in pretend play. 

"There is a voice inside of you 
That whispers all day long, 
'I feel that this is right for me, 
I know that this is wrong.' 
No teacher, preacher, parent, friend 
Or wise man can decide 
What's right for you--just listen to 
The voice that speaks inside." 
— Shel Silverstein

n  Expressing myself in a creative manner was very important.  I believed there was something inside of me pushing me to think, and explore other worlds, other people, and other experiences so as to create my own stories.  I wondered if anyone understood what I was doing, engaged in private conversations, assuming many roles and personalities. 

Growing up, I have to admit I spent a great deal of time watching television-I was the television queen, watching episodes of “I Love Lucy”, “Bugs Bunny”, “Leave it to Beaver” to name a few.  While inside, television was my play and I created skits based on the shows I watched.  Television was simpler in the ‘70’s and it did engage my imagination, my sense of creativity and my sense of how I pictured things.  Television watching lead me to my first job as a television director, which I did for over 25 years.  (Early childhood education is a new passion for me, that I have been involved in for 3 years).  I always sought a creative outlet, but play was rather elusive for me growing up.

Learning, studying, getting good grades was the focus in my young life.  My parents were immigrants, and believed strongly that academic success was the key to success in American life.  Luckily, I loved school and homework was not a chore so I did not give my parents any trouble.

  

When I did play, I played with my brother, and he was in charge of what we did, how we played, and what we played with.  I felt stifled when we played, but I enjoyed his company so I endured.  My most vivid memories of play other than my own pretend, private play was the time I spent outside playing.  The playground for me was a carnival of excitement with endless possibilities to loose yourself.  Whether I was on the swing, legs up in the air, head dropped back with my long hair slapping my back, or on the monkey bars hanging upside down looking at the world, I knew I could loose myself in imagination.  The physical experiences of the playground could be repeated over and over again, providing me a new sensation every time. No matter how high I went on the swing, it took different degrees of body strength to project my feet in the air.  I still remember the colors I could see when I finished spinning and the peripheral shouts, and laughing of my friends as I tried to keep my balance.  The playground gave me control, and offered me so many different experiences; I could stay on the playground for hours. 

Play today is not so reckless and free.  If children are outside, they are engaged in organized activities that are adult driven; soccer, football, cheer-leading, baseball.  Play of this type is not based on personal fun, but on competition; competition to win and be the best.  Play is very much scheduled and sandwiched in between academics.  Unfortunately we live in a society that no longer permits free play where kids get on their bikes and ride around the neighborhood coming back only because it was time for dinner.  I don’t think I have seen a child climb a tree in ages, nor have I seen children on the playground near my house engaged on the equipment like I used to be.  More avenues for self-directed play need to be carved out for children.  

                                                  

The world looks different when you play…. it is endless and full of promise

                                                                  

                                                

Play keeps you fresh, play gives you power and a sense of accomplishment.