“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” -George Bernard Shaw
My Essential Play Items
I loved playing with Barbie dolls as a child. I even conned my little brother to play with me!
I had a yellow bicycle when I was a little girl that I loved riding.
As I child, my brother and I enjoyed playing. We didn't need much encouraging because we loved it so much. We would play throughout the daylight hours. I also loved pretending to be a teacher and having a classroom of students. My dolls were students, as well as, my mother and brother.
I strongly feel that play is much different today than as when I was a child. Children, of today, do not seem to enjoy playing outside. It almost seems as though some children do not know how to play. I think this is because of the technology that has increased within our society. I think technology is very helpful and beneficial; however many children are obsessed with computerized games.
I totally agree with you technology has gotten the best of children today, they don't even want to play outdoors that's way childhood obesity is at the levels it's at today.
ReplyDeleteAmy,
ReplyDeleteI too loved playing school where my family pretended to be my students...even the dog had a place in my classroom. I also feel that technology has consumed our young children to the point that they don't really know how to play, nor do they know how to talk to people. They do know how to text though! Great post Amy! Thanks for sharing!
Amy McCoig
Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post. I also enjoyed my barbies and my pink bike. I agree with Amy. I think that technology has consumed our young children. Growing up, we had no choice but to amuse our selves. Today, children are put in front of the television and computer games to amuse them so the adults can get things done. Thanks again!
Christina
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI am in agreement with Christina that parents often times use the television and video games/computer as babysitters so that they can get things done; and occasionally that is ok. But, children need to play. They need play outdoors too. Society wonders why children are obese......I have three reasons: Televsion, Video Games and Computers.
We did not have these things as children (except tv), our parents sent us outside or to our rooms to play; and we need not come to them with our squabbles, we were expected to work through them.
Crystal
I too agree that children have access to too much technology! I have to admit...I am guilty of allowing my boys too much! They have their own IPad and my husband taught each of them how to use it by the time they were 18 months old. We have scaled back a lot now, but I see this same problem throughout society. How many kids do you see in strollers and shopping carts with IPhones/IPads?
ReplyDeleteMaybe I am crazy, but could one of the reasons children do not play outside as much today is because it is hotter outside? I don't ever remember it being this hot as a kid! When I was younger, I loved being outside in the summer time riding my bike and going to the pool. Now, there are many days (like today) that I won't let the boys go outside because it is too hot! Last summer, there were several days we said we are not going to the pool because it is too hot outside.
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI agree that children enjoy more electronic games today. When I was a child, children enjoyed playing outside. As a result, there was less obesity than today. Therefore, teachers should encourage more creative and physical play.
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI also had a yellow bike! (my first bike had a banana seat on it). I think that society is different now, and that affects young children and their play. Somehow we have to help it to come full circle and get back to the basics.
Thanks!
anne
Hello Amy,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that children, of today, do not seem to enjoy playing outside. It almost seems as though some children do not know how to play because of the technology that has increased within our society.