Play!
I've been involved in several types of play with youth. First was my work at an after school club in my town where we would oversee and often play with the kids at the school playground before heading inside for snack and homework time. After that we would often facilitate a variety of activities regarding arts, music or sports. I ran a program after school that allowed students to explore band and chorus settings at a young age by allowing them to work with older students. I also have experience with working with young children at the beach educating them on conservation and having them explore the beach and talk about discoveries and questions they have.
Personally I know my parents tried to expose me at a young age to different play spaces with groups that were in the Newport area and took me to a plethora of museums. However, and my mom would be mad to hear this, I do not remember much because I was so young! Just that my parents were great about exploring many play spaces.
When I was young I was very conscious of participation. Jenkins in "Shall We Play?" talks about exactly what I would do and still see shy youth do which is observe. I would watch and see how other kids were playing assessing if I was as good or if the were nice before I could feel ready to participate in the play happening whether it be a soccer game or even just arts and crafts I always started on the sidelines.
Personally I know my parents tried to expose me at a young age to different play spaces with groups that were in the Newport area and took me to a plethora of museums. However, and my mom would be mad to hear this, I do not remember much because I was so young! Just that my parents were great about exploring many play spaces.
When I was young I was very conscious of participation. Jenkins in "Shall We Play?" talks about exactly what I would do and still see shy youth do which is observe. I would watch and see how other kids were playing assessing if I was as good or if the were nice before I could feel ready to participate in the play happening whether it be a soccer game or even just arts and crafts I always started on the sidelines.
I can relate with you when it comes to the parent's idea and having me try different thing. I look at how I do the same thing with my children now. I don't recall a lot of what I did but I do remember enjoying the feeling of being part of the different activities no matter what it was.
ReplyDeleteLove the pic! My parents also tried to take me to different play spaces when I was younger. I also tended to observe when entering new place areas rather than jumping right into it.
ReplyDeleteI like that you did activities surround music in your program. I would like to connect with you on how those worked. I also agree with you on not remembering most of the childhood activities we did, we were so young to remember those no matter how much fun we had.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like you have a lot of great experiences! you have led activities in a wide variety of youth spaces, including non-traditional ones like the beach! Great work!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog! I felt really connected to it especially when you said " I would watch and see how other kids were playing assessing if I was as good or if the were nice before I could feel ready to participate in the play happening whether it be a soccer game or even just arts and crafts I always started on the sidelines." I was like that too!!
ReplyDelete