My Connections to Play

My Connections to Play

We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today. ~Stacia Tauscher


You are worried about seeing him spend his early years in doing nothing. What! Is it nothing to be happy? Nothing to skip, play, and run around all day long? Never in his life will he be so busy again. ~Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Emile, 1762

When I was a child...
My parents supported me in play by allowing me to be a child and explore my surroundings. I played for hours outside in my backyard making forts in trees and taking in nature. The role of play in my childhood is one of my clearest memories. I spent all my time playing and creating. I feel lucky to have had a childhood where play was nourished.
Play today...
One way I feel play is different today is the reliance on electronics. I hear children talking daily about the different electronic games they play and the new game systems in their houses. Television and games are such a important part of children’s lives these days. I worry for the children of the future as this type of play does not develop open ended thinking. Children need to explore have all different types of play for healthy development.
Play through life...
Play is important for children as well as adults. It gives us the ability to relax and have time for enjoyment. One of the aspects I love about my job is it gives me the ability to play again and see life through the eyes of the child.

Childhood Play Items

I loved playing with my dolls when I was a child. I would pretend I was the mother and feed the baby and change her diaper. I still have my favorite baby doll and my daughter now plays with it.

I loved drawing and coloring as a child. I would spend hours working on pictures and drawing on my chalkboard. I still love to do art projects with children.