“MY
CONNECTIONS TO PLAY”
“We don’t stop
playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” - George Bernard Shaw.
“If animals play,
this is because play is useful in the struggle for survival; because play
practices and so perfects the skills needed in adult life” Susanna Miller
Jump
Rope, an essential play item in my childhood, sometmes improvised with rubber bands tied together sinc there was no rope available.
Often
I played with my cousins “Gallinita Ciega”
or “Blind Chicken” which consisted of playing tag with a blindfold in your eyes
Hopscotch
was another childhood game. Usually referred to as "Mamaleche" in Spanish, which means suckingmilk. I do not know why it is named lied this in Spanish, that is something I wondered since I was a child since the game does not relate to the name.I usually did not have chalk so the hopscotch was
drawn on the dirt with a stick or formed with pebbles.
My
childhood Playing Years
My
parents always supported play because I do not remember my mother or father
ever calling me to do chores or interrupting my play. One time I remember I had
mixed up everything I could find, including weeds and dirt and was playing
“chef”. When my father got home from work, he asked what I was doing and I said
fixing dinner. He then asked if he could have some. I never thought he would
really eat from my invention but he actually did. I remember the look on his
face as he spit it out. I was not aware back then but my dear father was
supporting my play. That created a memory that I have never forgotten and do
not think I ever will. Most of my play consisted of outdoor games and limited
resources, just my imagination. I think this has changed over the years and
children are losing the traditional outdoor childhood games. Sadly most
children rely on electronics for entertainment and are outdoors for a very
short time. I think this is the cause obesity is higher and more children are
becoming less physically active with heart problems, blood pressure problems,
and other health conditions.
Playing
was a very important part of my childhood. Growing up, I was the youngest and
my siblings were already teenagers so most of the time I played alone. On
weekends, I would go to my grandmother’s home and would have a feast playing
with all my cousins. Now that I am a mother, I enjoy playing with my daughters.
I encourage my child’s imagination by sewing clothes together for the Barbies.
As an adult, I wish I could spend more time “playing”, I know it relaxes me
when I take a break from everything and just engage in my daughter’s imaginary
world where Barbie cars can fly and ponies can talk…….
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