In my day, the natural desire to learn, explore, and create did not compete with the 24 hour cartoon channels and electronic games that children have today. Joan Almon's talks about the school counselor in Virginia who said that her first grade students did not understand the word "imagination" (Almon, 2002). So, I asked my 16 year old son what imagination was, and he said he didn't know. Just like the counselor, I was surprised. However, I explained that he did know because he uses his imagination when he creates his music lyrics. Play is essential to the healthy social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of children, and I do believe there will be unintended consequences of insufficient play which this generation of children. However, I still believe that children are playing in some form. We need to accept that play looks different today, while still encouraging good ole fashion dramatic play and fantasy play. For example, my oldest son my not have engaged in much fantasy play, but he plays basketball for at least 30 minutes, lifts weights, is conscious about what he eats, and he creates with his mind when writing musical lyrics.
This generation of children may not know the word "imagination", but I believe they are playing and creating in a way that the adult perspective cannot see. I still hope early childhood advocates will prevail in convincing school board members and politicians to build in more time for play during the school day. They will not make this change unless we advocate for it. With regards to my own play time, I have to work on that. I work, study, work, study, volunteer, study. I am not setting a good example for my children. That will change starting today.
Reference
Almon, K. (2002). The vital role of play in early childhood education. Gateways, 43. Retrieved from http://www.waldorfresearchinstitute.org/pdf/BAPlayAlmon.pdf
Joy,
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you have realized you need more playtime in your life! I realized the same thing as I was writing my own blog. When my kids were younger I seemed to play with them more than I do now. I think partly because they want to play more with their friends and partly because I am so busy with work and school. I too would like to find more time to play and enjoy my children so they can grow up to be adults that know how to enjoy life!
Amy
Thanks Joy for sharing and bring back memories (Etch-n-Sketch and Lite Brite). You are so right in that kids today participate in play but differently than how we did. Most are very creative but need avenues to get those juices flowing. I think of my ten year old and how when playing video games he can whip right through and discuss how things should be differently created, down to the drawings. Also like you, I need to place play as a priority and relax more to enjoy the people around me.
ReplyDeleteJoy,
ReplyDeleteI believe you are right concerning the view of play today. It doesn't look like the freetime spent creating easybake cakes or weaving potholders (I had one of those too), but it does take on some form of creative mind engagement (creating dance moves and lyrics). I suppose that as long as they are engaging in something that will enhance the totality of their development, then it's good. I know that my son (age 5) does know what imagination is by virtue of his early introduction to Barney--who constantly uses the word and implementations of imagination. It seems that the gap between our childhood and the childhood of our children today urges us as educators/parents to step up on our jobs to keep the dreams of imagination alive! :) Here is a website that I found several months ago that give excellent tips on how to become a Play Advocate. Hope you find it beneficial :)
CCWhite
How to Be a Play Advocate: Tools and Tips for Activists and Troublemakers, featuring Joan Almon and Ed Miller, produced by KaBOOM!
October 2009
Retrieved from http://kaboom.org/docs/documents/trainings/readytalk/How_to_be_a_Play_Advocate/lib/player.swf