Everyday Play

Play defined my childhood. I remember playing “restaurant” in middle school; I would invite my parents up to Restaurante de’Ellen, where they would sit on my bed and enjoy the fine gourmet cuisine of plastic food. I drew a stovetop on my dry erase boards and played soft music in the background. I rearranged lights and set out books as a “table”.  I made menus and designed a store sign. I played the waitress and the cook, making up a background for each of them and putting on a fake accent. This play of mine was necessary to my development, and while reading Henig’s article, I was again saddened by how long it’s been since I’ve looked in my “fake food bin”.

I completely agree with Henig’s assertion of the importance of play. I think my particular background with fake food falls into the “play as preparation” hypothesis. That’s not to say that I aspire to be a chef or waitress, but I think it shows how I became so outgoing. Greeting my parents with different identities, each one outgoing and welcoming has helped me to become the person I am today.