Interview on play development - Essay Example

Interview: Changing Play with Someone 50+ Years I grew up in Dubai. Back in those days, everyone lived a Bedouin lifestyle, meaning there was nothing luxurious like television, electricity and or form of technology. I also was in a very large family of six siblings, of which I was the youngest, as well as my parents. Many of my cousins lived nearby so there was always someone to play with. Because girls did not go to school back then, I mostly helped my mother cook food or clean the house. I remember some traditional games that I liked to play with my sisters and cousins.

Some of these games are known today under different names because I can see my great grandchildren playing them but they use different names. I also did not go to school, but at age 5 and 6 I played many games, such as the Hunter (similar to hide and seek), Carrom (similar to snooker), marbles, and hopscotch. Because I did not go to school, I could only play games with the neighborhood kids. At home my sisters and my cousins all liked to play the Hunter game. But in the neighborhood, most kids either played marbles or hopscotch.

I mostly liked playing with marbles. Also, the Carrom game was fun to play with the board. During my free time I would just help out around my home with any chores that needed doing. At home I would play with my sisters and cousins, but outside I would just play with the neighborhood kids. I was able to develop strong relationships with my relatives and also neighborhood kids because of playing these games with them. I think that the fun that I had contributed to the good relationships I had with many kids.

Adults had no say in what we played because mostly the kids just came up with new ideas about what games to play. When I got married and moved to Egypt at the age of 14, I did not play as much as I used to when I was a child. Simple activities such as washing clothes and sweeping the house became normal to me. I think that children play much differently today than when I was a child. Now there is more technology so kids don’t have to think too much about what games they can play. One bad thing about this is that it can cause tension among kids, which reduces friendships.

Kids these days don’t talk as much when they play because they are always looking at a screen. When I was young, talking and telling stories was an important part of play. I wish that children these days would be required to use their brains more when it comes to play. Too many people have tried to make things easier for kids by not making them think first. I am proud of the games that I played as a kid, but more importantly I am thankful for the friendships that I made.