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play[plā]

 

VERB

  1. engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose. have fun · relax · occupy oneself · divert oneself · frolic · frisk · romp · caper · mess around
    engage in (a game or activity) for enjoyment: "the children were playing outside" ·


    Why play? It is because play is the antidote for depression, isolation, and fearfulness. And it is play that holds the key to leading a happy and healthy life whether we are 1 or 100 and everywhere in-between. [peacefulplaygrounds.com]
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Play has been understood for many years, with many contradicting viewpoints, and known only

truly by children. It has been lost as adulthood continued and replaced by work and rules of how to be useful in the world. For many, even though the mystery remains, it is still being studied and learned by many adults throughout history. These people have gone through extensive research to compile and fine-tune the information, even if it be in different or contradicting styles. Many of these stand out to the interest of the community or those who work in early childcare/the fields of psychology such as Piaget or Erikson. But to those who are not familiar with or do not want that information, it is often defined as "When kids have fun." Well, It is not just kids, and it is not ONLY fun.


So what can you do at home to help encourage that in kids or yourself? It isn't to easy, because usually you can be bombarded with a blockade of questions, or self- consciousness, (which can be solved by following instructions like here:

http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Feeling-Self-Conscious

 

The reason why I mention that is because kids of a very young age very rarely have embarrassment. Following this yourself will be a good start to getting yourself into the child's eyes. There is scientific proof all over the world that backs up that adult's playing too helps relieve stress and can help them understand kids better, but kids don't have to worry about it, because they are born with it as a natural instinct. Explore. Play. Repeat.


As we grow up this is taken from us, and we are instead given a different replacement. Sleep. Stress. Work. Repeat. We are so tied up in the worlds worries even though they have nothing to do with us that we soon forget entirely how to play. Have you ever gone on a swing set again, just to simply 'have fun, and not care what people think?' In a safe standard, you might have been experiencing play again, and even possibly getting in touch with your "Inner child."


A 2007 report from the American Academy of Pediatrics documents that play promotes not only behavioral development but brain growth as well. The University of North Carolina’s Abecedarian Early Child Intervention program found that children who received an enriched, play-oriented parenting and early childhood programs had significantly higher IQ’s at age five than did a comparable group of children who were not in the program (105 vs. 85 points). [ University of North Carolina’s Abecedarian Early Child Intervention program ]


So a question you might have: "If I start playing like or with the kids where does that get me?" And besides understanding, and a lowering of stress yourself, it does not get you to far, however to get out of your comfort zone and have a little bit of extra imagination, you can have a smile on your face, or a flash of nostalgia or something fun. Besides, It is one of the best things for a babysitter to hear that they were "fun, and the best ever" rather than "I was board!"


So let your kids enjoy this while they can. :) And have fun with it. There is only one childhood you have, but you can still take a little bit of time to enjoy play too. It may also help you lower stress and enjoy.


It is very important to note as well that sometimes you have to balance risk with the event of learning as well. As Dr. Julia Kroker states; " If a child is going to get wet do not think about the how you have to clean it up and go through the trouble, but instead let the kid take it as a learning experience, and intervening only when there is a true danger or risk." 


Now if there is a true danger or health hazard, it is important for you not to let the child learn by trial and error. I can think of an example rather than letting the kid touch the stove to see it is hot, maybe let him make believe play kitchen and talk to him about the stove and let him or her learn that way. This will also let him know how to cook food.