Friends Call Me ‘Pink’!

Hi! I’m Amy and play is my passion!

“It is paradoxical that many educators and parents still differentiate between a time for learning and a time for play without seeing the vital connection between them.” -Leo F. Buscaglia

My focus here will be learning and enjoying life through PLAY!

This will include resources, hints and tips for anyone living with, working with or wanting to help people, but more specifically, children. Please join the conversation, I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences on the topics I discuss.

My background is in education, specifically playwork. Although originally from Manchester (Stockport to be exact), I studied for my bachelors degree in ‘Children and Playwork’ at Sheffield Hallam University. After University I worked in a variety of nurseries and primary schools around Sheffield, and Manchester.

Then I decided to pack up and go on an adventure, so I went to teach English in South Korea. Time got away from me and I ended up staying for 3 years, oops!

An experience I will never forget.

So, why am I so passionate about play?

The ‘early years’ has always been fascinating to me. Those first years of life are not only the most important as your foundation of physical, mental and emotional well-being but also the most interesting, and honest years of life.

I have found that generally speaking I can have an equally if not more honest, open and interesting conversation with a four year old than with most adults (depending on the adult, I guess).

At this early stage society hasn’t made its mark quite yet, but it will, there’s no escaping it! It’s up to us adults to try and make it as positive as possible for every child we interact with.

I believe, along with many others, that children learn about all aspects of life (in one way or another) through play. To some ‘play is simply what children do when they aren’t being told what to do’, which is 100% true and the only words in that sentence I have any problem with are ‘simply’ and ‘children’.

The word ‘play’ to me is in no way simple, it’s unfathomable, hugely extensive and beautifully complicated…also, it’s definitely NOT just for children.

We all play every day, sure you might call it ‘going to work’ or ‘shopping’ but really we’re all just playing at being adults. Those who admit this will agree it makes life so much more fun and less stressful, as we prance around with a ‘fake it ‘til you make it’ attitude.

That isn’t to say there aren’t aspects of life you should take seriously (work and shopping included), but I would argue that equally children’s ‘simple’ play should be taken just as seriously.

This blog is me playing. Playing at being a writer, I wonder what that’s like. Playing at being self-employed, I wonder if I’ll make it that far. It’s also a challenge. A learning experience. A way to try and explain my thoughts to others, get feedback and have meaningful conversations about the things I care about.

It’s also my hope that this will help people who have or work with children, as well as people who don’t! Those who just want to find or keep their joy for life and embrace their own need for play!

I’m going to be posting a blog every week on Mondays and a YouTube video related to the post on Thursdays. Come and play!

How did you play today?

• Play memes!
• #5 Reasons Children Need To Experiment With Risk During Play
• #10 Advantages Of Competitive Play
• #9 Benefits Of Children Playing In Groups
• #10 Benefits Of Children Playing Independently

Tweets by playismagic10

amychapman@playismagic.com