My Connections to Play

“A little nonsense now and then, is cherished by the wisest men.” 
― Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator

All those hours exploring the great outdoors made me more resilient and confident.
David Suzuki 

            As a child I did not attend preschool or have supported play in a traditional teacher scaffolding sense. My play was supported mainly by my surroundings and I was lucky to experience many varied places. As a preschool age child my imagination took root in my grandma’s sun room full of white cast iron and glass furniture and the ‘secret’ loft in my Uncle’s converted garage apartment. I also enjoyed days at the beach and the thick St. Augustine grass jungle where I chased lizards. In Nebraska it was the big snowy hill behind my house which in the summer led to a playground and the lake with clay banks in which I honed ‘pottery’ skills. In California my friend and I were reincarnated witches who feasted on wild growing pomegranate potion. In Australia we mainly climbed trees and played marbles in the dirt fields by the school, and once again the beach.

                I did no need much in the way of equipment or toys, we were pretty creative. Although I really, really, enjoyed boxes as a young child. We would build anything out of boxes. I did have a few favorite toys though and they are in the photos.

                My daughter has not had quite as many opportunities to play outside and rarely did unless I was supervising. The world seems a scarier place but maybe we just hear about danger more often now as media is everywhere we go. She definitely spends a lot of time conversing to friend online, 24/7 it seems. Even with the constant connection and access face to face communication is lacking. It makes me a little sad am not sure she has formed the bonding and strong friendships we had but I hope she has.

                Play is critical to a child and important even as an adult. I have to remind myself to play at times and the style of play has changed but I am certainly happier when I include it in my life.