Looking at where play started and all it has become is really neat to think about. I remember visiting historical settings like Williamsburg, VA as a child where you could see the old school houses, and play with toys that children used to play back then. They made up games, and did everything children do today, with the things they were given.
As a parent I sometimes wonder how much technology will influence my child as they grow up, and more specifically how this will influence their play. I feel we are moving more towards play that pre planned and a lot less creative.
What ever happened to the play that a child created themselves?
When I was a teacher I try to provide my students with as much of that type of play experience as possible, because it is important and a fundimental part of childhood. You learn through play, I’ve always 100% believed in a play based curriculum, but to some that means something totally different than what it is intended to do.
Play gives you the chance to explore, create, try out and work with all sorts of materials. Learning through using a toy for something else, or having plain toys that can be used for a variety of things.
Wooden blocks, like the ones seen below come to mind when I think of this.
I love to see students using blocks in the kitchen area of the classroom. Blocks used as food, utensils or even a telephone show me the imagination children have the potentional to have and use. These are the type of play experiences each child needs to grow and learn though.
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