"Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood." Fred Rogers
As an early childhood educator - it is no secret that play is the heart of learning! When I work with teachers - one of the things we always look at in their daily schedules is how much time they have set aside for play! The longer, the better! As the minutes go by play becomes deeper, richer and more creative, developing so many higher level thinking skills, executive function and pure fun!
A few years ago, a friend of mine, Monica Calderin, founded a photography collaboration called, Childhood Unplugged - "a group of photographers who are making a conscious effort to encourage our children to get back to the art of play." Their popular instagram feed highlights images of children at play throughout the world. When Monica asked me to join, I was thrilled.
An autumn weekend in the heart of the northern woods of Minnesota was the perfect spot to tell an unplugged story as a part of the Childhood Unplugged team. No internet, no television (other than one fuzzy channel) helped draw us all through an open door to outdoor play, yard work, cousin fun, grandparent time, freshly fallen leaves and time at the farm.
