Play is our brain's favorite way of learning -Diane Ackerman-
Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning -Fred Rogers-
The toys I loved to play with when I was 5 were:
balls
tea setHow was my play back in the day?
At the age of five, I was the only child still my sister came a year and half after. My play was usually by myself especially with my tea set. Mom and Dad worked, I remember setting up my stuffed animals in a line and adding water on the tea pot and setting the table so everyone had a cup of tea. My mom when she had time would come and play with me. On the other hand my dad loved to play ball with me or soccer. My mom always tells me how fascinated I was with balls. With my babies, I was very careful. I always carried a special baby, but often would put it down for a ball.
How does play differ from back then to nowadays?
Play differ not a little but A LOT. I remember when it was ok for children to go out and play, explore their surroundings, explore nature. There was no game systems and if there was, my parents could not afford it therefore it was not noticed or missed. As children, we have to use our imaginations, use props like boxes, sticks, rocks, grass, mud, dirt, etc. Nowadays, children are more restricted from that, they rather play in their systems, computer, phones, etc. Using their imagination has become more restricted in a way. Props have turned into the real stuff.
My role of play throughout my life was very interesting. As I got older, I had a sister and 13 other cousins. I was the older one so my job was to take care of them and entertain them of course. I remember every sunday we would get together at my grandmas' home where it was located in one of the biggest school in Lima, so we would go over to the big open play area and just run, play chase, hide and seek, visit the pets school out, etc. I loved to play volleyball, so my aunt would come and play with me, loved it. As I got older, I would play teacher and students, barbies, etc. My sister would join me but did not quite understand my play role, she was very young. Sometimes I think about it and so wish we can go back in time for our own children to experience that life.
The dreams of most little girls is to have a tea set and pretend like you are drinking tea with other people. I agree that the concept of play as change from past until now. It was much safer for children to play outside and explore their neighborhood. Now, parents have to keep a close watch on their children outside and do not take their eyes off of them. Nevertheless, children now prefer to play on their computer, games, and/or on the tablet whether than to go outside to play with other children.
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