"My Connections to Play"

Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game.

Michael Jordan
American basketball player

Play allows us to develop alternatives to violence and despair; it helps us learn perseverance and gain optimism.

Stuart Brown MD
Contemporary American psychiatrist

Growing up I had an old milk truck for a fort.  I spent countless hours using my imagination as I played.  I remember taking trips across the world, being a mom, delivering milk, or just having good ole fun with cousins during play.

As a young child, my brother Matt was my best friend.  We played together all day long (even when he didn’t want to).  As we got a little older, our play become more cooperative and we played together taking turns.  Our little red wagon is an example of a play time that represents my younger self.  Matt and I would pull each other around everywhere as we went exploring the world around us.

As a young child, I was pushed into the world to explore on my own.  I was the oldest of my siblings and many times was left in charge of watching them as we played outside.  We basically had two rules:  look out for each other and come home when it starts to get dark.  I can’t say that I remember really being supported in play as a child.

My definition of play has been clearly define as an adult and differs greatly from what I knew play to be as a child.  Today I have learned the importance caregivers have of guiding children’s play to support their growth and learning.  I hope to educate more caregivers on the significance of play.  Specifically the staff at my center as well as the families I provide care too.  Educating caregiver’s is vital to a child development.

Play is vital for both children and adults.  Play is as important to our physical and mental health.  It can be a stress reducer and adults still have the capabilities of learning new skills or becoming more comfortable with uncommon concepts.