My Connections to Play

“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.” – Mr. Rogers

“Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.” – O. Fred Donaldson 

My family was very supportive when it comes to play. We didn't live close to any other kids, so we had to find ways to entertain ourselves. It helped that I grew up with four sisters and we made life very entertaining. We live by a bunch of hills and we would go exploring all the time. We would ride bikes and go hiking in the hills. In the winter is was sledding, and snowboarding. Inside, I would dress up and play house, and my mom and or sisters would play with me and be any person or character I wanted them be. We also played a lot of cards. My grandpa taught me how to play pinochle when I was in third grade and I love it. We have card parties all the time, and a lot of my aunts and uncles and cousin will come over.  
Play was an important part of my childhood. I have some great memories of playing with my sisters and  cousins when they would come over. As I am sitting here typing this sitting in my parents kitchen after supper with some of my sisters we are reminiscing about all the things we use to do. 

I think play today is very different then what it was when I was growing up. Now days they are a lot of electronics that kids use to entertain themselves. Some kids don't know how to use their imaginations anymore. They don't go outside and find ways to entertain themselves. In some schools they don't let their students play. They don't have time to let them play in schools anymore. I feel that parents are running into the same problem. Schedules are busy so I feel that they use iPads, or Xbox's, to entertain their kids. There are a lot of good educational games for the Ipads and iPhones , and if used correctly they can be a good way to entertain kids. I also know that a lot of parents set time limits on such devices, so that kids aren't hooked on them. I hope that kids now days can get outside and play and use their imagination. I hope that they are able to play in schools. Kids learn so much from playing, that I hope that it doesn't becoming extinct. 

As a Kindergarten teacher I play with my kids all the time, when we are having Free Choice. We use our imaginations, and we role play. I also still participate in family, card nights. I love it when my family gets together and we play cards and games. 

The first picture is with a new POGO stick that I got for my niece for Christmas. I use to love playing on the POGO stick. The second picture is one of the many outfits that I would play dress up in.