Two quotes that relate to my experiences as a child:
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| Easy-Bake Oven |
Baking with this oven was fun, fun, and more fun! When I ran out of the packages that came with the Easy-Bake oven; I would melt "Now & Later" candy, "Hubba Bubba" gum and "Reese's' Cup! Whatever would melt that I thought taste GOOD!!
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| Jacks and Ball |
I loved playing "Jacks"! I prided myself when I figured out how to pick up the jacks in sets of twos without touching the other jacks! I had skills!
all day; I never got tired!
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| Skates |
When I was younger the people in my life that supported play was my grandmother, mother, and teachers! I played outside every day especially, during the summer months when school was out. My grandmother would watch me along with neighbors skate up and down the street, I loved to jump "double-dutch" with my friends. When it was getting close to night time I was only allowed to sit on the porch but, I was with a few friends chanting "cheers" and doing hand games such as, "slide". Those were good times!
My mother would support my playing by allowing me to play "touch football" with my boy cousins - roughing it out. She would let me run outside in the rain and buy toys for me whenever I asked for them.
I remember having recess everyday while in elementary through high school. Teachers would watch us play and sometimes participate in our games!
Play is in no way the same as when I was a child. These children do not jump rope, play jacks, skate, or even ride bikes! Technology has it's hooks in our children today. I taught my daughters how to play games from my childhood and hopefully they will teach their children some day. My hope for our young children today is for them to enjoy their time as children, receive support from adults in their lives, and not encounter too many bumps and bruises that a Band-Aid and kiss will not cure!
In my life play has a role even as an adult. I enjoy playing with my daughters, nieces, husband, and the children in my program! One of my parents was shocked to see me slide down the slide with the children on the playground one day! I just laughed and asked her why was she surprised. The parent simply stated that she had never seen it before in another center she experienced. Children humble me in a way that is unexplainable. My time with children is precious and heart warming. I guess I am a kid at heart. Play refreshes my spirit and make me smile! Play will continue to play a role in my life for generations to come and I hope I can pass on the significance of play as a form of fun learning!
Hi Shelita, I enjoyed reading your blog. I laughed when I saw the skates. I had a pair just like them. I learned how to be a really good skater. Children really don't play with skates outside. Play has changed over time but, I can see it is our fault because the video games and stationary games are what keeps our children from enjoying running and playing.
ReplyDeleteShelita,
ReplyDeleteI love your quotes. Mr. Rogers has some really great quotes about play and early childhood. I used one of his on my blog. The three items you chose to put pictures up were some of my favorites as well during childhood. I love that the Easy Bake Oven is still around today. The roller rink we used to skate at and have birthday parties at is still around. I don't think I've skated in years, but it would be fun to relive those memories some day. I'm also glad to read that I'm not the only adult who enjoys climbing on playground equipment and going down slides with young children. The swings are still one of my favorite things to do at the park. I hope I never outgrow my love for the swings!