When I Think of Child Development....

For the past 8 weeks, I have been exposed to many new theories and ideas, but what I have heard in a constant manner is that children need to play.  We focus so much on intellectual development and the scholastic environment in our competitive world and forget so much about the importance of play in its simplest form for all age groups.  

The following quotes capture my current views 

on child development and the role of play:

Play is our brain's favorite way of learning.

~Diane Ackerman

A child's world is fresh and new and beautiful,

full of wonder and excitement.  

It is our misfortune that for most of us that clear-eyed vision, 

that true instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring, 

is dimmed and even lost before we reach adulthood.  

~Rachel Carson

The creation of something new 

is not accomplished by the intellect 

but by 

the play instinct.

 

~ Carl Jung

Swiss psychoanalyst
1875–1961

Children interact best with the world through play.  

The innocence with which they approach life and learn new concepts is best demonstrated when on a playground. 

~ Sheryl Thompson

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I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my colleagues, especially those in my Discussion group, for their commitment to completing this course.  Without your invaluable contributions and insight, I would have never understood so many of the concepts and the course work would not have been as interesting.

Thank you also to Dr. Darragh for her insightful comments on both the Discussion boards and the reviewed Assignments.

All the best to everyone in their future academic endeavours - and don't forget to view life through the eyes of a child every once in a while and PLAY.