Childhood Connections to Play

“Playing should be fun! In our great eagerness to teach our children we studiously look for 

‘educational’ toys, games with built-in lessons, books with a ‘message.’ Often these ‘tools’ are less 

interesting and stimulating than the child’s natural curiosity and playfulness. Play is by its very nature 

educational. And it should be pleasurable. When the fun goes out of play, most often so does the 

learning.” ~ Joanne E. Oppenheim (child development expert,  author)

Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.

Fred Rogers
American television personality

• .I am not sure that my parents supported my play; I remember playing outside a lot, in all kinds of weather, snow, rain, sunny or cloudy.  I believe that my oldest sister taught me everything I needed to go to Kindergarten. We played hopscotch and tag. We made stores, wore dress up clothes and played school. We scooped, measured, poured in water and in the sand bikes and skateboards were ridden all around our neighborhood. We climbed fences and trees, we were also very lucky, our Grandparents had a dairy farm. We spent weekends, picking strawberries, milking cows and riding on tractors.
• When I was home with my children, I supported their play. We were exploring and creating all of the time. They did send a lot of time outside too. They still talk about making snow fort and riding bikes in the street. We lived on a dead end street.  The differences that I see from then to now, is that safety is an issue. Many children cannot play outside due to unsafe neighborhoods. I want to support children in the short 3 1/2 hours that they are in our care, giving them as many opportunities to cut and glue and dress up. To give them outdoor time that is safe, to climb, run and jump. Provide tricycles for them to ride. As my quote says "Play should be fun"