My Connections To Pl

     If I were to chose just two quotes that summarize my childhood they would be:
"Keep Company With Those Who Make You Better" (Unknown) & my new
favorite: "The ability to play is one of the principal criteria of mental health"
(Almon, 2002). I can clearly look back on my younger years with a smile and
clearly be able to associate the importance play with a healthy self-esteem and
thirst to explore and learn as much as I can.
     When I was four and five years old I was the happiest I would ever be as a
child.r children every second. The neighborhood children would go to Bidwell
Park which was one block from my home and butted up against the Elementary
School. This park meandered through the whole town and the part that we lived closest to was the deer pen. We would take the stale bread and hand feed the deer, then have a picnic that was packed by our folks and sit in the clearing and watch the deer and squirrels play. This park was like living 5 minutes from Sherwood Forest! I spent practically all my free time in this park. Capton Bidwell had brought trees from all over his travels and planted in the park. There was also a stream running right through the middle of the park with camp areas and swimming holes. The older children where responsible for us little ones and as we grew older we became responsible for those younger than use.
     I miss those times but know that I am extremely lucky to have had the experience! In order for my children to have similar experiences I made time to go to places where they could run, explore and feel free, even though I was present. I feel we can do similar things by being purposeful in how we set up our class environments and in the resources and materials that we use. I am a firm believer in play, down time, art, and rejuvenating oneself. I feel this is partially due to all the freedom and great experiences that I had as a young child but also greatly due to a Mom who was kind and supportive. She was always supportive and encouraged us to use our imagination. I am very aware of the need to express myself and to "play". I can tell when I have neglected myself and the tense feelings become too much. That's when I take time for me and I can feel myself become productive and full of ideas again. Every child deserves to have their Sherwood Forest.
    I have included a couple of materials that I use in class to help encourage the children's imaginations.

Jennifer Pore`

Almon., K. (2002). The Vital Role of play in early childhood education.
     Gateways, 43, Retrieved from
     http://waldorfresearchinstitute.org/pdf/BAPlayAlmon.pdf
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