Do not keep children to their studies by compulsion but by play. – Plato, Greek philosopher 427–347 BC
When given the chance, children love to play.
I’m not talking about playing video games or handing your child your iPhone so you could shop sort of play, but the real old fashioned kind of play where children actually connect with each other. The kind of play you did as a child.
As you shop this holiday season, please think about more than the instant gratification of your child ripping off the wrapping paper, and think about the value that toy will bring as you play with your child. It truly is relationship building to play with children and they learn so many of life lessons through play.
Here is my attempt at the ABC’s of play:
Play is…
Active, adventures & art
Bonding, busy & boundless
Captivating, collaborative, & creative
Divine, delicious & development
Energizing, emotional & engaging
Fun, freedom & familiarity
Games, gizmos & glory
Honest, healing & hilarious
Imaginative, inventive & inquisitive
Joining, jolly & jumping
Kinetic, kindergarten & know-how
Laughter, loud & listening
Making mistakes, music & magic
Natural, nimble & nonsense
Open, obvious & optimistic
Physical, peace & positive
Quests, quality & quid pro quo
Resourceful, respectful & revealing
Silly, social & skill building
Timeless, tactile & teaches
Unpredictable, ubiquitous & universal
Valuable, virtuous, & vocal
Wonder, whimsical & work
Xmas
Youthful & yearlong
Zealous
Have fun, and please feel free to add your comments on play.
Tina Nocera, Founder
