CHILDHOOD
QUOTES
“When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child,
reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.”
(When I became a WOMAN…)
(The Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:11)
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't
matter and those who matter don't mind.”
-Dr. Seuss (Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel)
“CHICAGO
ROLLER SKATES”
As
a child one of my favorite activities was roller skating. I learned how to
roller skate when I was about 4 years-old. I would skate in my backyard, and skate
around the blocks in my neighborhood as I grew up over the years. Most
importantly, I would go to the roller skating rink with my cousins and friends
every Saturday night. We would practice our steps throughout the week after our
homework was complete, then we would plan our outfits. Skating was a very
important playtime for me, because it gave me the chance to be social and meet
new people, it kept me in shape, and skating gave me an incentive to keep my
grades up, because the rule in my house was, if you didn’t get good grades, you
couldn’t go skating.
“SIT-N-SPIN”
My
second favorite toy when I was a child was a “Sit-N-Spin!” I would sit in my
backyard for hours and spin, and spin, and spin. I would spin so much when I got
up, I would fall down in the grass, and it was so fun. Sometimes we would have
a contest to see who could spin the fastest, and the longest without falling
off. It was great!!!
Today’s Play
Today’s play options are still the same, for some children,
parents recognize the importance of play so they limit T.V., video game
options, and computer options. Some parents, like myself understand that
activities like baseball, football, soccer, cheerleading, track, roller
skating, and other activities are important, to keep kids socially, emotionally,
and physically active. Board games like Monopoly teach kids the importance of handling
money, buying real estate, and the importance of saving. Other games like Clue
allow for children to use their memories to help teach problem solving skills.
The WII System and the X-box w/ Kinect System does promote physical and mental
strengthening.
As adults play is still an important way to build on and
strengthen characteristics. As a child we are drawn to certain activities,
based on our childhood. But when we become adults sometimes those activities
are not attractive to us, we become different and sometimes are interest
change. I personally still go skating, I like to play basketball, and I like to
watch football, baseball, and hockey. I also enjoy playing multiple board and electronic
games. This allows for me to interact with my children and show them the
importance of family bonding.
Hi,it seems like you had a very playful childhood.I also like that you mention your parents making sure that you had done what you needed to do as far as school. Idefinitely think that at a certain age academics are important because that is the way life is designed. In the earlier years the structured academics are not so important because we have to consider the development of each child and the importance of play to a child's learning. For young children, they learn through play. A lot of time play needs to be planned and purposeful.
ReplyDeleteI like how you mentioned roller skating and going to the roller rink on the weekends. Roller skating was a part of my childhood as well and I remember having the Fisher-Price Roller Skates that Velcro over your shoes. I remember that my mom loved those roller skates as well since she didn't have to deal with taking my shoes off and on whenever I wanted to skate but was too little to know how to tie my shoes. I have noticed a decrease in roller skating or even roller blading in my area. My nieces and nephew were not all that into it until I mentioned that knowing how to roller skate or roller blade helps you when you want to ice skate. After that they did try the activity but they are more into their bikes and scooters than roller blading. I'm just thankful that they enjoy playing outside and do not want to sit in front of video games all day.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed your comment about adults being reluctant to play but that you still enjoy "playing" some of the same games you did as a child. I will be the first to admit that I still love to play and am a kid at heart (I think most teachers have at least a little of this quality in them). I offer to take my nieces and nephew to this bounce house place that has giant inflatable slides, obstacle courses, and moon bounces mainly so I can have fun but also because I know they will enjoy it. I also look for "fun" playgrounds to take them too so I can play! Yes, this wins me brownie points for being an awesome aunt but again the ulterior motive is that I just enjoying playing even though I'm an adult!
It is nice to hear that you still play and are involved in your children's lives in that same way. Loved hearing about your special roller skating times. My kids also have a sit-and-spin, which they love as well! Great post, thank you.
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