Play

Play is crucial to a children's learning, and as Berger (2011) describes, is universal and timeless. I was mostly interested in the concept of rough-and-tumble play since I was not raised in a household with boys, and I tend to associate that type of play with boys. However, my daughter is 3 now, and I see her engaging in this type of play alot with my 1 1/2 year old son and their father. It was interesting the more that I read about this type of play because they often discuss how dad's tend to engage in this more than moms. In a paper I read on this from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, authors Bokony and Patrick bring up the point that kids are now indoors more often and need "vigorous" and athletic types of play to expend energy. This promotes the ability to be able to focus better later on and, in turn, learn more.

It was interesting to me how they brought up the issue of kids needing to be outside....especially after reporting on Sweden's education system stressing taking children outside every day, despite the weather conditions. Children need to run and play in larger spaces to facilitate learning. They need rough and tumble types of play, as well. At what point did we start fearing taking kids outside? Did it have to do with the increase in technology and media they can now be exposed to? Or did it have to do with us associating it cold weather with kids getting sick? Whatever the reason is, I tend to be in favor of my kids getting outside every single day. It may mean bundling them up in the cold, or getting a little wet in the rain, but in all circumstances, they seem to happier this way.