How has Play Changed since we were kids?

In many (or most..) of my talks, I will, at some point, ask everyone to write down a memory of play from their childhood. Try it now for ten seconds. Compare it to your kids today.

Most adults report a significant diference between their childhoods and the play experiences of their children today.
O.k. so we have ( or had) more money, more accessories, more toys that do more things, more instantly accessible computer games - that do not require a 30min loading time and 'syntax errors in 12' - or to fast forward and rewind a tape to find the song we want. In short, we do not have to wait, even to play sports we can stay in our living rooms with the consolation of our consoles. And mobile phones are self-contained entertainment devices.

But on the other hand, children today have a lot less freedom, less space and increased traffic and 'stranger danger' makes us a lot less reluctant to let our children play unsupervised. Especially kids with special needs.
We working mums make up a huge portion of the workforce, and so the environmental addition of childcare facilities is a relative factor in the evolution of play.


When we were kids, and certainly this comes up in discussion, we were outside all the time (actually, we weren't allowed in) and made our own fun. I'm not sure if my mother would have considered describing our play preferences or decide what was normal or typical play or not! But outdoors were percieved safe, and so long as we weren't a nuisance, we were o.k. We came in at night and ate like horses.

So how do these changes in play affect how we view the play preferences of kids with special needs? Do they exaggerate children's abilities and disabilities?
Do we constantly have to strive to entertain, amuse and stimulate kids today?
If the recession getting us back to good old basics - and can we include play? I hope so.

Thought for today is:

If our kids were born as our peers, how would their play be different? What
impact do the fast, flashy playthings of their generation, and
environmental changes have on their lives? Would they be different?

What do you think?

Claire x