HD 306

Reflection Play in Childhood

HG306
Maura Maldonado
Pacific Oaks College

[Type text]

HD 306

Play In Childhood
Play in Childhood was one of my favorite classes. I was prepared for more information
about the importance of play in a childs life, but this informative class helped me explore how
play has affected my development. As a young child my mom stayed home with me and my
sisters and spent many hours playing with us. Playing with my mom included toys but most of
our play appealed to the senses and developed our imagination.
This class encouraged me to examine my feelings about a favorite activity that my mom
encouraged, hours of messy mud play. The front of our home had a large concrete and brick
porch which had a hose bib on the side in a flower planter. Water dripped from the bib constantly
creating the perfect continuous mud puddle. As I sat on the porch I would knead and manipulate
the mud like it was cookie dough or chocolate ice cream. My mother would show me how
to place my mud cookie or pie in the oven, which we pretended was on the window sill above
the porch. As we played I realized how my mother encouraged language by asking me to
describe how the mud felt in my hands. My imagination developed each time I used a twig or
stick to slice my creations and share a piece of pie with my younger sisters. As I remember this
play I can feel the warmth of the summer days and how the cement porch felt cool as I sat on the
steps. The water from the hose was cold and refreshing and my body felt relaxed and I was
happy. In this way play in Childhood has reminded me that simple activities not only bring
hours of entertainment but encourage learning opportunities. Creative ideas and using our
imaginations can make any child feel successful and build self-esteem.

[Type text]

HD 306

Another concept discussed in class which resonated with me was gender neutral toys and
play. Along with stereotyping male and female roles, children are stigmatized for transgressing
their gender roles. I feel boys are especially targeted if they show any interest in a typically
girl toy or activity. I feel another problem with gendered toys or play is the way they limit a
childs interests, ideas and creative imagination.
Imaginative play today is very different from when I was growing up in the sixties. I feel
that changes in family structure contribute to this. Many families have both parents working and
children lose out on the benefits of playing and discovering daily with their parent. Outside time
is not a choice for some children because they have to remain indoors while parents are at work
or they are cared for by older grandparents or caregivers who stay inside. The growth in
technology is a wonderful thing, but the children today are often encouraged to use tablets and
computers in ways that limit imagination and creativity.
In class we were assigned to observe a child or group of children as they played. I
observed four five- yea-r old pre-K children, three boys and one girl in their preschool setting.
Their play took place in the block area. The boys grabbed the dinosaurs and began what is
considered typical boy play, then the little girl joined in the play and the play extended into not
so typical dinosaur play, but all ideas were accepted and built upon. It was wonderfully creative.
Through this observation I saw that when children are left alone with their ideas, there is no limit
to their imagination, and rules or roles do not really matter. There is a willingness to change
and fit in, and a respect for differences and new ideas.

[Type text]

HD 306

In class conversations with my classmates about our personal experiences with play as
we grew up were interesting. I discovered that my play experiences were more hands on
experiences which occurred outside. This prompted me to wonder, Was this because I didnt
have the same types of toys, or because my mom enjoyed outside play? My classmates play
seemed to consist of more experiences of crossing gender roles. Is this because it became more
acceptable from the time of my childhood to theirs? The contributions we made to each other
involved thoughtful conversation and insight.
Play in Childhood helped me discover that my current interests as an adult are an
extension of my childhood interests. I enjoy creative and sensory outlets like working with clay,
painting, mosaic and cooking. Through the encouragement and support of my parents and others
in my life, my artistic interests and confidence grew. Today I try to be a source of
encouragement and support to the children in my life. I feel the greatest gift I can give them is to
simply allow them to be.