Read:
- Elkind (2008) The Power of Play
- Nurturing Creativity, Chapters 4 and 6
Now, listen to children talk about the importance of play:
For this assignment, reflect upon the role of play in your own life.
Think back on times in your childhood when you were engaged in play. Focus on play that was child-directed and where you used your imagination (not a board or video game, not parent/teacher directed). Think of times when you were actively and creatively involved in developing the play experience.
Choose one memory to share in a 2-3 paragraph, descriptive and richly detailed reflection:
- Where were you playing and who were you playing with?
- If there were guidelines or goals, how were they developed and communicated among the players?
- How did the playing begin, continue and end? Was this one time, or did you continue this play over time?
- How did you feel while playing? Use words that are descriptive and detailed.
- How does this reflection make you think about the role of play in the lives of children. How do you apply what you know about play from your own experience to how you work with children?
Holly Squashic
ECE 211
Professor Reich-Shapiro
I have found this particular assignment difficult, as I have a lot of blank space where most have ingrained childhood memories. Watching the video and studying the readings have sparked joy. I am thinking back to my daughter being younger and so imaginative in play, how I interacted with her and how I interact with students now, and how that affects how I play now. So, I will use my experiences from those interactivities.
When Olivia, my daughter, was around 1.5 or 2 years old, she really started to intentionally engage in play scenarios, with me and solo. I found at this time, I recognized it have been a very long time that I had truly played. I at times found myself unsure of what to do and followed her lead. Seeing her create conversations with her toy characters inspired me to do the same. It became second nature to follow her lead with imaginative play, using materials in new ways. Playing in jungle gyms, interacting with peers in play, were all observed and helped me value play in a way I had truly forgotten. In my youth, I mostly remember being older, building model cars or lincoln log homes, more structured play-work.
As an assistant teacher now, I have found genuine joy in play. Loose materials for open-ended provocation and suggestive options is something I was not actively aware of before. I am sure to design the room in a way that fosters play, love, and work. I find myself being an active participant in play now, at home, and at work. Using toys, but also imaginative play, art materials. Watching the students show compassion and love through play is truly wonderful. Without play, there is no learning.
I’m sure this isn’t quite the specificities the assignment called for, but this is what I am able to conjure up from my memories as an adult, parent, teacher, and playful person.
This is perfect. You shared with your daughter all the joys of childhood imaginative play that you didn’t remember having as a child. It’s wonderful that you could discover that with your own child and bring that joy into the classroom for your students.
Nusret Ullah
ECE – 210
My little sister were acting like we were in a cafe in Paris. I was at the table with my two kids which was two of our stuffed teddies bears. The big teddy bear was the oldest kid, and the smallest teddy bear was the younger kid. My little sister was the server, and she was serving us food. I would make different voices, so it seems like the teddies bear were talking and I would pretend to order food. We would use plastic foods and plastic plate and spoons. We use this toy box; my sister uses it for her toys. She put a blanket over the toy box, and we had this huge umbrella. The goal of the game was not to break character, and I would have to play three different people because well I had to use stuffed teddy bears as my children. Every time I break character, my little sister yells at me. She would tell me to stay in character.
The game begins when I enter the room and I see the room set up. The toy box was covered by a blanket and there were three chairs. Two chairs were taken by the teddy bears, or “my kids “. I took the chair under the umbrella and crossed from me the two-teddy bear. My little sis came to the table and asked me what we wanted to eat. I would tell her my order, and I would be using squeak voice to act like kid and pretending the teddy bears were talking. We would play for about 30 mins or a little bit longer. The game would end till I told her that I did not want to play anymore. My little sister and I would play pretend café most of the time. Most of the time we would play at the supermarket or school. I love acting with different characters, she gives me. and being in various locations. I would use different voices like they are days were I would act like a spoiled and rude person the other day I would act like a shy and kind person. It is fun, and I really enjoy it. This reminds me of the role played in children’s lives is important because they can use their imagination and be creative.
What fun! And such a great imagination…
Where were you playing and who were you playing with?
Growing up, in our free time, all my sister and I used to do was play with our barbies. We had a barbie house and a barbie kitchen and we would spend all day surrounded by a lot of toys. I was always in charge of how we played since I was older, and I would get mad at my sister for not listening to my directions. It always started off sweet, we played together nicely for a bit and then we would get into a huge arguement over something silly and we would both storm off. Eventually after a couple of minutes we would talk again and forget we even just argued. My mom must have been so frustrated!
I always enjoyed playing with my sister we had so much fun making up scenarios the barbies were doing. The barbies would go to a party and they had to get into their imaginary car and then they went shopping and one barbie maybe wasn’ t too nice to another Barbie. Although we argued, I love my sister and I feel that those moments made us stronger. As we matured we obviously don’t argue the same and we can look back and laugh.
I have thought for a long time and reflecting, still think that play is so important among children. Its how they learn how to be thoughtful and respectful of others and their space. They also learn they have to treat others how they want to be treated. Allowing children these moments expands their analytical thinking as they explore different ways of playing and imagine different scenarios.
When I work with children, I just think about what I used to like to do and what I liked when an adult or older cousin would play with me. I use fun voices and silly situations to engage with the child, I’ll ask them questions about what we are doing and keep things fun while letting the child lead me into the activity.