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I had the oppurtunity to spend many hours with my grandmother and aunt this last week. My aunt commented on the lack of time children have to play in any given day. We reminisced about our time spent playing as kids and wondered how parents are coping with the trials of working, cooking dinner and helping kids with homework.

I have been fortunate to work in a field that believes in the value of play. I am also fortunate to have grown up with family  that supported play by allowing us time to play but I am also aware of the many conflicts that families face throughout the day. The area of brain research has helped pave the way for a better understanding of why children need to play (if I remember I will mention Bruce Perry in a later article but for now, keep the name in the back of your head). However, with that research has come some very misleading information for parents. I recall a time when flash cards and learning by memorization was being seen as the least effective way for children to learn and play theory was very important but with Baby Einstein and similiar companies hopping on the Brain Research band wagon, flash cards are back.

Honestly, I yelled at the television one evening because I saw an ad for flash cards for baby. Seriously, how can companies use such important information about how the brain works, to sell a product?

 Now I am reminded that everyone is entitled to their own opinion on how best to help guide children (not teach, but guide) but there is no reason to take fact and maniplulate to sell a product. Doing so, is no longer a matter of a differing opinion but a very sad attempt at manipulating parents into thinking that they need your product for their child to succeed.

O.k. rant over.

I witnessed a generation of family playing and laughing together as my daughters spent time with dolls, cars, and bicycles just as I had and just as my mom, aunt and grandmother had. For a moment, I could see my aunt picking up her favorite baby and holding it close as she sang it a song. My aunt helped my two girls hold their babies with the softest touch, as if they were holding the most precious jewel they had ever receieved. In just a few moments, my family shared they joys of their own childhood with my children, and it warmed my heart. I know I will always remember how Gillian started to cry when it was time for her Aunt to head back home and how Bella told her “your the oldest Aunt.” These interactions couldn’t have happened without the medium of play. The girls felt safe to get to know their family becuase they knew they shared the common bond of play.

The next time you are with family, spend some time with the children just playing and see what memories you can make.

 

Posted on May 31st, 2007 by karen
Filed under: Uncategorized