Childhood Connections to Play

My Connections to Play.......

                                      "When you PLAY, PLAY hard; When you work, Don't PLAY at all." 
                                                                                                         - Theodore Roosevelt

                                                                          "Today, Make time to PLAY."
                                                                                                    - Na'ama Yehuda

My Mom, Dad and Classroom Teachers supported play for me when I was younger by allowing me time to play each day  at home and at school.  All of my play activities at home were directed by me. At school 75% of play time was directed by me (recess); 25% of play time was directed by Classroom Teacher (Physical Education Teacher). I played every day.

These days, children still play at home, probably the same way I played at home. Play was self initiated and self directed. Play at school is totally different from when I was in Kindergarten through 6th Grade. While in elementary school. We had 3 opportunities for self play. That was morning recess, lunch recess, and afternoon recess. In addition, we we had a time for teacher planned physical education. Because of the emphasis of reading, language arts, and math, children do not get as much time to play at school.

Play has always been essential in my life. Play keeps me balanced. Knowing that I can play then and now, gives me the desire to work. This is why I selected the quote by Theodore Roosevelt. It is important to work hard so you can play hard without stress.