When I was growing up play was encouraged daily. As children,
we did not stay in the house and we had longer increments for recess at school.
At home the rule was, once you’re outside you stay outside. No running in and
out of the house. My mom use to put a gallon of ice water on the porch, with
cups, for me and my friends to enjoy so we wouldn’t have to come back into the
house. I use to stay outside the entire day from sun up to sun down. When the
street lights came on is when I had to be in the house. I was a tomboy. I
climbed fences, and trees and I hopped roofs. I loved to play double dutch jump
rope, hopscotch, arcade games and I loved art. I also loved to sing and dance. I held many talent shows outside with my friends. While outside I was a scientist.
I explored and researched everything. The role of play shaped me into the
person I am today. I am fierce, confident, inquisitive, very detailed, and very
persistent. Outdoors was fascinating to me, I was tantalized by it and I couldn’t
get enough. I learned so many skills that school never taught me.
Play today is very different from when I was growing up. I
grew up with a village watching me. All of the neighbors knew my mom, siblings
and me. So when I went outside there was always someone watching me. If I behaved
badly they would correct me and tell my mom. Those days are long gone. You can’t
let your children out of your sight because you are afraid something will
happen to them. You can’t trust your neighbors and you can’t discipline other
people children without the mothers getting offended. So therefore children
spend most of their days in the house unless their parents take them outside.
As a professional, my hope for children in regards to play
is that they are able to explore and play in abundance. I encourage parents that
I coach to introduce things to their children on a daily basis, which may
include exploring and playing outside. Since children can’t play outside on
their own; parent will have to join them. This is easier said than done since “new
age” parents are so attached to their phones and social media. They don’t go
outside unless they have to. This is what I call the “lost art”. 21st
century children will never know what it’s like to be outside discovering,
exploring and problem solving on their own for hours. However, they will have
to learn different skills somehow and if parents are not intentional, it will
not happen. They will lack critical
skills which will affect their success in the future.
Here are some play items and images that I enjoyed growing up:
