Sun, 01 May 2011 12:28:00
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Midgett
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How often do we play, and why?
I’m 74 years old now and retired, and I retired when I was 70. As a former substitute teacher, I still have fun with the students.
I would cradle the ball as a mother would her infant baby. I could hear a loud voice near me saying, “Teacher Midgett, can I pitch the ball?” The student came closer to me and repeated, “Teacher Midgett, can I pitch the ball?”
I was having fun and was not ready to give up my play time. I looked at the student with a big grin on my face, and then I laughed out loud, saying “Oh no, you can’t,” as I continued to laugh, saying, “I am having fun just like you.”
Part of my play ethic was squash. I did not let the students use the regular outdoor ball because it was so hard, and the ball could also break the glass in the ceiling. I suggested that we use the lighter ball and hit it instead of kicking it. I was having fun along with the students. We were playing one our favorite game at school – kickball.
Some learning experiences come from a variety of games. Soccer, basketball, ice hockey, chess, jump rope, marbles, Connect Four and Sorry! Technology has afforded us the opportunity to view other countries at play. The social aspect of the games brings many different ethnic groups together.
Play ethics is an important part of any game in which you choose to participate with another individual or team. The following information can apply to play ethics: Who will be playing the game – because without players can it happen? What game will be played? Will their be a fair vote upon which all players can agree? When will the game be played? Where: Has there been a mutual place agreed upon? Why do you want to play? How it is played is where the play ethic bcomes visible.
Play is the beginning of social interaction with peers, adults and friends. Play can also influence a preschool environment. Some toys for preschool do not allow for a child to use his or her imagination while at play.
Some teams play on weekends and sometimes during the week, when a fee is charged. At times, the fun gets lost in the play, because the game becomes competitive.
When parents sometimes get involved in a child’s play, they need to back off a little. I have seen parents want to get into a brawl and become too aggressive when it is only a game. The parents need to question their motive why they want their children to participate in this particular sport. Play can be fun, and although back when life was a strain economically, family and community were more together. Play was a social function as a unit with neighbors and families. Play now consists of game boards, which mean more isolative play. I see children and parents more focused on cell phones and game boards in restaurants then with having a conversation with each other.
How often do we play with each other as a family? Is a play ethic used by some of the players that we see on television or read about in the newspapers? What message is given to some of our future players?
Mary Midgett is the author of “New York Flavor with a San Francisco Beat.” She is also a retired schoolteacher. She is available to do presentations and seminars on social and family negotiations. She also conducts workshops on parenting, self-esteem and social and intimate relationships. She can be seen you on YouTube at “Midgett’s host of older black women’s issues.” Her email address is midgettscorner@aol.com. |
