My childhood was filled with play, imagination, and discovery, and I think that's why as I became an educator I made that a part of my educational philosophy. I grew up with creative parents, who allowed me to experience life as it happened. They encouraged creativity in my play, and always made sure I had opportunities to imagine.
Play in my younger years were centered around two core items.
First, there was Edna
And then my outdoor play kitchen (it looked VERY similar to this) 
I spent more time with Edna in that outdoor kitchen that you can possibly imagine. My dad had set up the kitchen in a little corner of the backyard behind a bush, it had running water (if you filled up the little tank), and playing house was my favorite thing to do. I would bring Edna and my little sister out and we would create entire universes around that little area in our backyard.
Growing up I was very lucky to attend a day care program in our small town that was probably more forward thinking than anyone knew at that time. They had a basic play based curriculum, and encouraged children to interact, imagine, and learn all through play. I feel lucky that I had this experience, because it helped me to understand the importance of play, and how learning through play really works.
Overall, play throughout the ages has been very similar. Children just need to be given the opportunity to play, and they will PLAY! In day care, my play opportunities were very similar to schools I work at now, some 30 years later. And that has really shaped me as an adult. I wish that more adults had the same opportunity as I did growing up. I also wish that more children today would have the opportunity to just play.
Hi Machaela
ReplyDeleteI would like to thank you for sharing all those meaningful pictures and that took me back to my childhood. I see me and you had something in common I to spent time attending day care and I love to play in the house area with all my peers. I miss those those day that why I think play is so vital to children it is so much that he/she is gaining from play> For example how to take on certain roles, social skills and language building . I agree with you I had a amazing childhood and it was filled with wonderful memories as well. It is so good to be able look back and see how far we have come and to see that play still exist today is awesome! I was wondering can you still remember your peers and teachers you had.
Have a great week!
Temika Mccann
Hi Temika,
DeleteI can remember quite a few of my peers and teachers, that's due in part to the fact that I grew up in a pretty small town, so most of my peers in day care continued on to be my peers through high school! I definitely have fond memories of some of my preschool teachers. Actually, my most vivid memory is of the center cook!
Machaela
Machaela,
ReplyDeleteIt is so wonderful that your play experiences as a child are now carried through your work with children. The toys you display are actually very similar to those of my daughter, Jessica. As a matter of fact, we had that Little Tykes kitchen set on our back patio for the girls to play outside with it (along with about a million dishes, pots, pans and play food). I agree with you that children should be given plenty of opportunity to "just play."
Hi Machaela, thank you for sharing your relationship with Edna! It sounds like she was very special to you. Do you still have her?
ReplyDeleteIt is great to hear that your positive experiences with play have taken on such an important role with how you view and value play today. It is interesting how our personal experiences are so impactful with our professional lives. I so agree with your comment that we just need to give children the appropriate amount of time to play. So many programs are so rigid with their schedules that they don't take time to stop and truly listen to the play that is happening around them. They get them to clean up so they can get to circle time. There are times when children are so engaged that we can miss the odd circle time to let the play continue! I have caught myself a few times where I was about to stop my children's play to go to the grocery store. I had to stop myself and ask,"Do I really need to interrupt their play to get groceries......no! Their play was so full of learning and enjoyment that I would go later!
It is wonderful that you share your passion of play with your program. The children are very lucky!
Thank you for sharing!
Take care,
Stephanie
Stephanie,
DeleteI DO still have Edna at my parent's house! Those Cabbage Patch kids have really stood the test of time. I believe I got her in 1984 for Christmas, so that's a 30 year old doll!
Machaela