Comments on: Simple Family: The Lost Art Of Play http://www.simplemarriage.net/simple-family-the-lost-art-of-play.html A better marriage by keeping it simple. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:28:09 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Corey http://www.simplemarriage.net/simple-family-the-lost-art-of-play.html#comment-4524 Corey Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:14:08 +0000 http://www.simplemarriage.net/?p=2656#comment-4524 I looked around for a study I came across while in grad school - back in the 70s (if I remember correctly) they compared school age kids in America, where the teaching and schooling is mainly directed towards bench-mark level and learning certain things by certain times while early in school, against kids overseas in Russia (again not certain if I'm remembering the right country) where young school age kids are less directed and play more, the kids where then tested while in HS and the overseas kids scored higher than the American kids. Point being, play is so vital to our children of any age. I looked around for a study I came across while in grad school – back in the 70s (if I remember correctly) they compared school age kids in America, where the teaching and schooling is mainly directed towards bench-mark level and learning certain things by certain times while early in school, against kids overseas in Russia (again not certain if I’m remembering the right country) where young school age kids are less directed and play more, the kids where then tested while in HS and the overseas kids scored higher than the American kids.

Point being, play is so vital to our children of any age.

]]> By: barbara http://www.simplemarriage.net/simple-family-the-lost-art-of-play.html#comment-4523 barbara Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:07:45 +0000 http://www.simplemarriage.net/?p=2656#comment-4523 I have been teaching for 23 years and raised two of my own childern and WOW what a vital piece of information for all parents and for those that are shoving their students into lessons, sports and school from morning till night. Take them out in the park and so go play! I have been teaching for 23 years and raised two of my own childern and WOW what a vital piece of information for all parents and for those that are shoving their students into lessons, sports and school from morning till night. Take them out in the park and so go play!

]]> By: Patrice http://www.simplemarriage.net/simple-family-the-lost-art-of-play.html#comment-4504 Patrice Sat, 22 Aug 2009 00:28:12 +0000 http://www.simplemarriage.net/?p=2656#comment-4504 I agree - play is vital for our kids as it is where they develop their skills to adjust and interact with other kids in a certain situation. Great parenting tips by the way. I agree – play is vital for our kids as it is where they develop their skills to adjust and interact with other kids in a certain situation. Great parenting tips by the way.

]]> By: Simple Marriage Gets a New Look http://www.simplemarriage.net/simple-family-the-lost-art-of-play.html#comment-4501 Simple Marriage Gets a New Look Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:51:33 +0000 http://www.simplemarriage.net/?p=2656#comment-4501 [...] focus on Simple Marriage. You’ll notice from time to time some posts entitled – Simple Family: … In these posts I’m going to broaden the focus to write on the subject of parenting [...] [...] focus on Simple Marriage. You’ll notice from time to time some posts entitled – Simple Family: … In these posts I’m going to broaden the focus to write on the subject of parenting [...]

]]> By: Alison http://www.simplemarriage.net/simple-family-the-lost-art-of-play.html#comment-4490 Alison Fri, 21 Aug 2009 07:24:00 +0000 http://www.simplemarriage.net/?p=2656#comment-4490 Today I was in the backyard watering plants and pulling weeds when I found myself staring at a large tree stump in the corner of the yard. It's around 3 feet in diameter and maybe a foot high. It reminded me of my childhood and all the silly imaginative games we would play. I actually drifted off into a 6 year old version of myself and listed off all the cool things I could do with that tree stump. It could be "base" for a game of tag, a perfect setting for a tea party with dolls or friends, the home of fairies, a giant building to leap off of, a reading corner, a stage for performances, etc. What a great little daydream it was. I have nephews and nieces in two different families who are all great kids, yet stimulated in completely different ways. One family is big on computer time and games, playing the Wii, watching movies, etc. The other is big on imagination and getting their kids outside and playing with each other. Like I said, they are all great kids, very smart kids, but I definitely see a difference between the two families. The biggest difference I have noticed is in compassion and sincerity. The family that thrives on imagination and playing outdoors and with each other has kids that are so empathetic, it's amazing. I'm not sure if it's just parenting style, or if the type of stimulus plays a part in that...just an observation. Anyway, I'm grateful that we barely got to play with our Atari and Nintendo as kids. I built a lot of forts and played G.I. Joe with my brothers. (Pat on the back, Mom!!!) Today I was in the backyard watering plants and pulling weeds when I found myself staring at a large tree stump in the corner of the yard. It’s around 3 feet in diameter and maybe a foot high. It reminded me of my childhood and all the silly imaginative games we would play. I actually drifted off into a 6 year old version of myself and listed off all the cool things I could do with that tree stump. It could be “base” for a game of tag, a perfect setting for a tea party with dolls or friends, the home of fairies, a giant building to leap off of, a reading corner, a stage for performances, etc. What a great little daydream it was.

I have nephews and nieces in two different families who are all great kids, yet stimulated in completely different ways. One family is big on computer time and games, playing the Wii, watching movies, etc. The other is big on imagination and getting their kids outside and playing with each other. Like I said, they are all great kids, very smart kids, but I definitely see a difference between the two families. The biggest difference I have noticed is in compassion and sincerity. The family that thrives on imagination and playing outdoors and with each other has kids that are so empathetic, it’s amazing. I’m not sure if it’s just parenting style, or if the type of stimulus plays a part in that…just an observation.

Anyway, I’m grateful that we barely got to play with our Atari and Nintendo as kids. I built a lot of forts and played G.I. Joe with my brothers. (Pat on the back, Mom!!!)

]]> By: From Dominique's Desk http://www.simplemarriage.net/simple-family-the-lost-art-of-play.html#comment-4488 From Dominique's Desk Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:41:46 +0000 http://www.simplemarriage.net/?p=2656#comment-4488 [...] Simple Family – The lost Art of Play [...] [...] Simple Family – The lost Art of Play [...]

]]> By: Brittany at mommy words http://www.simplemarriage.net/simple-family-the-lost-art-of-play.html#comment-4466 Brittany at mommy words Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:44:40 +0000 http://www.simplemarriage.net/?p=2656#comment-4466 Great post. It is so true and I see so many parents who do not play with the kids at all. Even books are not for fun they are read, at 2, to get them into college. Babies dont need to read they need to play! We are really going for a lot of play in our house and imagination is king! We have forts and kings and queens and tea parties and duels! It is great fun. I hope my kids remember having fun when they were young. Thanks for the reminder. Great post. It is so true and I see so many parents who do not play with the kids at all. Even books are not for fun they are read, at 2, to get them into college. Babies dont need to read they need to play! We are really going for a lot of play in our house and imagination is king! We have forts and kings and queens and tea parties and duels! It is great fun. I hope my kids remember having fun when they were young. Thanks for the reminder.

]]> By: Corey http://www.simplemarriage.net/simple-family-the-lost-art-of-play.html#comment-4460 Corey Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:03:03 +0000 http://www.simplemarriage.net/?p=2656#comment-4460 Best of luck on the TV free week. Let us know how it goes. As for the creation of "lands" as part of play time- I still vividly remember the creation of our own kingdom in the empty lot behind our house, as well as the stadium we created to house all the world championship games I played in as a child - we won every championship by the way :) Best of luck on the TV free week. Let us know how it goes.

As for the creation of “lands” as part of play time- I still vividly remember the creation of our own kingdom in the empty lot behind our house, as well as the stadium we created to house all the world championship games I played in as a child – we won every championship by the way :)

]]> By: Walter http://www.simplemarriage.net/simple-family-the-lost-art-of-play.html#comment-4458 Walter Wed, 19 Aug 2009 07:28:09 +0000 http://www.simplemarriage.net/?p=2656#comment-4458 Play indeed is vital. The most important aspect of it is the bonding a child experiences in the process. Such powerful bonding mechanism brings someone closer to his Mom and Dad, brother and sister, friends and even acquaintances. :-) Play indeed is vital. The most important aspect of it is the bonding a child experiences in the process. Such powerful bonding mechanism brings someone closer to his Mom and Dad, brother and sister, friends and even acquaintances. :-)

]]> By: Nikki http://www.simplemarriage.net/simple-family-the-lost-art-of-play.html#comment-4456 Nikki Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:16:59 +0000 http://www.simplemarriage.net/?p=2656#comment-4456 Agreed !!! We have a school nearby that has banned rugby (Think gridiron with no padding) Kids might get hurt. Schools punish the disruptive child by taking away their recess, when the recess is probably what is needed for them to burn some energy off and focus. We live on 5 acres and we homeschool. Our kids get out in the dirt and go on adventures and do all sorts. Our land has been an old Texan town, the high seas where our boys have foughts pirates etc. We even believe in time to do NOTHING!! Nothing wrong with a child resting either. i have never understood how a child can be in kindy and it's all 'learn through play' then they hit 5 and it's books and study all of a sudden. One thing we are naughty on is too much 'screen time'. I am looking at a TV free week next week and seeing what happens. That being said, I know as a family, we spend oodles of time together playing, working etc. Just think we could lessen the screen time. Agreed !!!

We have a school nearby that has banned rugby (Think gridiron with no padding) Kids might get hurt.

Schools punish the disruptive child by taking away their recess, when the recess is probably what is needed for them to burn some energy off and focus.

We live on 5 acres and we homeschool. Our kids get out in the dirt and go on adventures and do all sorts. Our land has been an old Texan town, the high seas where our boys have foughts pirates etc. We even believe in time to do NOTHING!! Nothing wrong with a child resting either.

i have never understood how a child can be in kindy and it’s all ‘learn through play’ then they hit 5 and it’s books and study all of a sudden.

One thing we are naughty on is too much ’screen time’. I am looking at a TV free week next week and seeing what happens. That being said, I know as a family, we spend oodles of time together playing, working etc. Just think we could lessen the screen time.

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