"My Connections to Play"

“Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning.” -Diane Ackerman
“Play is the beginning of knowledge.” -George Dorsey

 Play was very important in my childhood. There riding the bikes through the wood trails of my grandfather's farm. Then we would ride our bikes 2 to 4 miles a day through country roads with no worries because everybody knew everyone and they would watch out for each other's children. Family time on the weekends with brothers, sisters and cousins where we would play tag, dodge ball, basketball, and hopscotch and other family activities. In school during recess, we would see who could swing on the swings the highest, who could ride the merry go round the longest, or who could run the fastest, and who was the strongest. Some of my cousins and friends would watch wrestling and imitate the moves on each other once we were outside playing however I was smart enough not to do that.

Play today is so much different. Children have these I Phones that limits their physical activity. Preschools and schools have totally eliminated play for children. Children's after school time is dominated by after school activities like little league, or recreational sports that they do not have anytime for play. Parents are forcing children to take on more adult roles at such a younger age. The computer, video games, and texting have made children become so sedinetary that obesity is becoming an epidemic amoung them.

Play is essential from childhood through adulthood. Play is a way a learning throughout our lives. As children we learn who we are through play and how to confirm to society and family rules. Play teaches us to be creative and through this play as adults we learn how to make the right decisions that will better our lives, and we we make the wrong decisions, then we learn from them and move on. Play is the beginning time of what we learn about ourselves and others.