My grandmother recently passed away. I’m so thankful for many memories with Grandma. Some of my favorite memories are times when Grandma and I played together. She loved games of all kinds and was quite a card shark right to the end.
My favorite “game” Grandma and I played was when we played rich ladies. We would pretend to be the wealthiest of the wealthiest and carry on about our servants and helicopters while at tea. We even wrote letters in the voices of our affluent personas. Was this when I was a girl, you wonder? Well, kind of. When I was a “girl” in high school and college! Such a silly game to play but such fun!
Am I embarrassed that I played such a game at such an age? Not at all! The last day I spent with Grandma, we reminisced about our imaginative play. I know Grandma wasn’t embarrassed either. She played shamelessly. Perhaps that was her key for living so long. She enjoyed playing. As George Bernard Shaw said, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old – we grow old because we stop playing.”
Play is important for all ages. Here is why:
It helps to de-stress us. When we play, we stop taking ourselves and our lives so seriously. Whenever we can take a step back from our lives and laugh, we feel better. Even children can get wrapped up in the serious busy-ness of life. Play gives us a healthier perspective.
It feeds our creativity. Using your imagination increases your ability to . . . use your imagination! Creativity sparks so many facets of our thinking especially problem-solving.
Children explore and learn through play. Young children process all kinds of ideas and situations and experiences through play. In the early years it is the most important part of learning.
Playing games teach important lessons. Spend time with any toddler and you know that taking turns is not a natural instinct! Yet this important skill can be learned while playing games. Math, word skills, and logic skills are an important part of many games for older children. And for all ages learning to both win and lose gracefully is an essential life lesson.
Active play is good for body and mind! Getting kids outside to climb and run and jump and ride is so important for their bodies. This exercise helps prevent obesity and enhances their immune system. It also helps to build strong bones and muscles. Also, physical activity helps them focus when it’s time to learn.
Knowing the benefits of play, how can we incorporate it into our lives? How about:
- Have “tools” on hand for creative play – a box of dress up clothes, toys that encourage imagination
- Don’t overschedule! Leave time for play.
- Kick the kids outside!
- Turn off the TV.
- Have a preplanned, regular family game night.
- Play with your kids!
So let’s foster sharp, creative minds. Let’s build good memories.
LET’S PLAY!
Copyright © 2013 J. Hoffman / GSN
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Email: JHoffman@GlobalStudentNetwork.com