My Connections to Play

I love these quotes. How I felt about play as a kid may not necessarily agree with how I feel about play now, as an adult. As a kid, play was carefree. Just something you did to get out of life's responsibilities. In my house, if you did not play, you cleaned, did homework, or read a book. In many cases after my homework was done, I played. I chose the carefree enjoyment of playing. That also meant you did it outside. Because if you were in the house you, cleaned or read a book.

These items represent all that I needed as a kid. As a result of my childhood I became very athletic. Many of the sports I learned was not from an organized organization. It was from the streets. I played everything in the street; and in the middle of the street at that. We just moved to the side when a car came by. I first learned how to play, basketball, football, volleyball, soccer, and baseball in the middle of the street. Oh the fond memories I have of those time. A bicycle is what I lived on. We went everywhere on a bike. I can't exactly remember who taught me how to ride or even when I first learned  but between a bike, scooter, skates, and skateboard, I lived on those. I have great memories of just getting on one and riding somewhere like to school, after hours and on the weekend. Or even riding my bike down the big hill that led to my house or down a dike in the dessert. Man the good times. I have included a tree because I loved to just climb trees as a kid. I had a big tree in my yard growing up and loved to climb it. There are many times I could recall, my mom calling me home and I would be in that tree at the very top. I also remember being the tree at the top of course relaxing and just calming down after hearing some bad news. My greatest accomplishment and memory was in that tree. I was about 6 or 7 and climbed to the very top and was able to touch the power lines. Man I was so scared but so excited I did it when I did. I had tried all summer but the limbs were so thin and I was afraid; but one day I gathered enough courage to do it and did. Finally, my last childhood essential item was friends. On many Saturday mornings even before I woke up, I had friends ringing my doorbell to see if I could come out and play. It could also be the reason why I do not like doing anything now by myself, because I always had friends. I loved being around my friends. Things were always better when they were with friends.

I think as an adult my understanding of play has greatly changed from what it was when I was younger. As a child it was carefree and something I did. Too many rainy days I would go crazy. I did play inside, but when I was younger, you needed to go out and explore. I was a military brat so we just went all over the base. I went out with friends and explored. I didn't think I was learning anything from playing. Playing was fun and natural.
Today, I see play through adult eyes. As sadly as it may sound, I feel as though I justify play more. Kids don't justify things, they just do. Play is learning. As a kid your really not looking at play as a way to learn something but as a way to have fun, for pleasure, and enjoyment. As an adult you can relate to that because play is fun, a way to relax, but the justifiable answer is play teaches things. It develops characteristics for social, emotional, physical, cognitive and other foundational developmental skills. It is sad that we have to twist something so innocent and make it a reason to happen. Justify why is necessary or even why we do it.

I don't think play has changed from when I was younger. However, I may do it differently now. My interests may be different. But because I have kids, I get to awaken those same senses I used as a kid when I engage and play with my own children. I love teaching and engaging my kids in the same manner as I did when I was there age. The sparks of interest and facial features they give is pleasurable for me. Honestly it is everlasting memories they and we will have. Could even be traditions they do with their own kids too.

Play for me today, include some of the same things I liked as a kid. As much as I would love to, I don't have the same schedule as a kid so I kind of how to schedule playtime in. That is sad, but my reality as an adult. However, play happens all the time, in many forms. Play can be physical or imaginary. As I am typing this, my kids got all their electronics taken to include the tv, yet they are still playing. They are playing pretend and creating a scenario they got from television. They are using their imagination. It is fun to watch them play. It brings out memories and the kid in me.