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| Weeee I'm freeee! |
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| Nanny nanny boo boo you can't catch me! |
C'mon, silly, let's play! You can't be so grown-up and important all the time....
Okay,
I'm guilty, too, of being way too busy and important with grown-up
style activities when I really should just chill-out with the kids,
whether in my home or in the classroom. Our inner young/fun person needs
to come and play with our actual young/fun persons.
Jona
K. Anderson-McNamee and Sandra J. Bailey wrote a great article on this
subject, "The Importance of Play in Early Childhood Development."
Here's a good quote: "Your child needs time with you to relax and play.
Playing with children builds lasting bonds. Playing allows parents to
appreciate the uniqueness of each child. Playing with children can also
be a stress reducer for over-worked parents. Laughing and relaxing are
important to your own well-being."
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| My turn. 1, 2, 3, 4..... |
These
“Rules” for Playing Games with Your Children are very practical. Of
course, all of our children are above average intelligence, but all kids
go through a developmental process that places them at a certain
emotional and skill level.
Anthony T. DeBenedet, M.D. and Lawrence J. Cohen, Ph.D, both extreme experts in their fields, wrote a book called, The Art of Roughhousing. I had no idea it took such advanced degrees to goof off with your kids; I wonder if it takes a Masters to tickle.
Here are some great thoughts from the book:
Roughhousing
is physical, which means that it integrates our bodies with our brains, and
promotes physical fitness, release of tension, and well-being.
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| Looks like so much fun, I wish I was at the lake. |
“Roughhousing is play,
which means that it is done for its own sake, it is joyful, and it flows with
spontaneity, with improvisation, and without any worries about how we look or
how much time is passing by.
Roughhousing
is interactive, which means it builds close connections between our children
and ourselves, especially as we get down on the wrestling mat and join children
in their world.
Roughhousing
is rowdy, which means that it pushes us out of our inhibitions and
inflexibilities. Rowdiness is not dangerous, as long as we have the safety that
comes from knowledge, close supervision, and carefully paying attention.”
Moms
have a say, too, though I'm not sure about the sticky floor part; not
that a sticky floor was never a frequent reality in my kids' growing up
years. The author has a degree in Recreational Therapy.
http://www.playwithyourfamily.com/2011/09/good-moms-have-sticky-floors/
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| FB here we come! |
I remember taking walks,
playing cards, singing, listening to stories, swimming, telling jokes--we are validated
as real and important people by these moments in our formative years when the
most valuable resource- time- is given to us. Why would someone play
with children? We love them. They are cute. Its fun.
The PS22 Chorus sings an update of the Sesame Street classic
"Somebody Come and Play" as a bounty of red balls and children launch in
every direction celebrating the connection between music and play.
Conceived, produced and directed by NELA Film.
"Somebody Come And Play" PS22 Chorus on Sesame Street!
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