"Play is the highest form of research." - Albert Einstein
I have to say that this was actually a very difficult assignment for me. I suffered from a traumatic brain injury when I was in high school. This has left me with short term and long term memory loss. The reason that I am talking about this is becasue I have VERY FEW memories growing up. I don't remember much about my life before my head injury and only have the stories that people tell to go off of for most things. That being said I can't honesly say what thinks would be essential to me at 4 or 5 because I have no idea what I did back then. I do know that I was one who listened to music all the time, no matter what I was doing. Even if it was just running laps around my house so I would have to say that I would need a tape player/CD player/iPod.
I grew up as an only child and I spend most of my time around adults. My parents were the type who would be on the ground playing pretend just as much as I would. They supported my growth and development through play without even knowing they were doing it. They encouraged me to use my imagination and would help to create my own words that we would play in. I did have a best friend growing up and she happened to live right next door. We were able to play together most of the time and cultivated a friendship that was more along the lines of sisterhood. When the weather was nice we would ride our bikes everywhere and just stay outside until we were called home for dinner at night. I would say that one essential play item for me would be a bike! When we were younger they would be our horses and we would get them buckets of water and saw dust (as feed) after a long ride around the neighborhood. Before I could ride on my own, i had a seat on the back of my dad's bike and we would all go riding during the summer. Every night we would be out there, exploring the world as my mom would say.
One thing I can say is that I was the son my dad never had. I loved to go out into the woods, play outside in the mud. I was the rough and tumble kids that was always exploring the world around me. I was NOT a girl who would sit in the house and play with barbies or any other kid of dolls. I didn't even like action figures. I always have to be moving and doing something. My parents supported that part of me and never made to feel like I needed to be someone else. Even though I don't have a lot of memories of my childhood history, I know that with what I do remember and the stories my family tells I know I wouldn't have changed it for anything!
I do not think that play is that same as when I was younger. I say this because children were encouraged to go outside and not come back until dinner, but to be SAFE! TV was a special treat that I go for my wind down time so that I could watch cartoon on TNT from 7:00-8:00 after my bath time. That was my night time ritual and I do have a specific memory of that. Children today don't always have the opportunities to play because they are side tracked by the TV, or other technology around them.
I feel it is so important for people to continue to play throughout their lives. Play is meant to be something that is not thought about and is free in its purest form. I use play in my life by continuing to play sports throughout the year. I also go horseback riding regularly. Sometimes we go to the beach down the road and just spend the day in the water. I chose to work with children so that I didn't have to go up and become too serious. Children help to to bring out our inner child and remember what life is really about once we get down on the floor and see the world through their eyes and their play.
Hi Sam! First of all let me say that I am sorry for what happened to you but happy to see that you push forward despite of it all and still living to share the things that you have! It takes a strong and encouraged person who has overcame to speak out about such events! I agree with you when you say play isn't the same and tv was a privilege! To be honest I remember barely watching as a child up until I became a teenager because I was with my grandparents a lot and they always kept us busy if weren't playing outside! My cousins and I had to help my grandfather in his garden or help my grandmother mow the yard, pick weed, water her flowers or sweep and mop the car porch. Like you said tv was a priviledge because I only remember watching when something particular was on or we couldn't go outside due to or something like that! I also was the son my father never had being that I am his and my mother's only child! Our childhoods sound much a like in ways! Thank God you are on this journey with me being that you suffered such an injury, so I want to wish you well in all your educational endeavors and say keep pushing forward! :)
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