"Play is the way in which children gain new abilities, concepts, skills, and overall developmental attributes."

                     -Smirnova & Riabkova (2016) 

I grew up in a small village surrounded by green mountains and tall, tall trees.

After school, before the bright yellow sun went down, my friends and I gathered at the dusty playground to play. The playground was full of laughter and joy!

We played tag, luksong baka (jump over the cow), luksong tinik (jump over the thorns), jump rope, hopscotch, and many more. 

My favorite was the hopscotch. I played this game when I was four until I was in grade school. 

Toss the rock. Hop, hop I go. Hop on the squares to the end. Turn around and hop, hop, hop again I go!

This is a fun game to play with friends and teaches children to balance, read numbers, and take turns.

"Play is vital to children's existence" (Guerrero, Hoffmann & Munroe-Chandler, 2016). My childhood life was full of play despite me helping my parents with household chores. I had fun through play, I learned through play, explored through play, and I developed a lot through play. So play among children should not be limited instead children should be given the freedom to play and explore their environment.

                                Reference:

Dietze, B. & Kashin, D., (2019). Playing and learning in early childhood education. (2nd ed). Pearson Canada Inc.