My Connection to Play

Quotes:

Here are two quotes that best represent the importance of play was to me as a child.

Ø  “Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning…They have to play with what they know to be true in order to find out more, and then they can use what they learn in new forms of play.” ~ Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood)

Ø  “Play is not only our creative drive; it’s a fundamental mode of learning.” ~ David Elkind (psychologist, author)

Essential Play Things When I was Young:

                                                                            

My Connection to Play:

As a young child, I can remember playing is what made my days go by so quickly. Play was a way for me to interact with my siblings, friends, and neighbors. We played on our own making new adventures as we made our way over the entire neighborhood. I don’t necessarily remember an adult playing a supporting role when we played except to call us at dark when it was time to come home, or when we needed to take a break to get something to eat. My mom or other neighborhood moms would also be there if you got hurt. Other than those times adults didn’t join in play or initiate play like we sometimes do today.

Play is very different today than it was when I was a child. Today parents have to be more concerned with their children’s safety. When I was young safety was my mom telling me that I was going to fall out of the tree and break something if I wasn’t careful. I also think that video games and other electronic media have taken precedence over children going outside and having unstructured play time. It was hard for me to think of three significant play things that I had when I was younger. Play to me was more about being active and using my imagination to play school, beauty shop, or outside making mud pies for my restaurant. I had toys but they weren’t things that I played with every day. Play today seems more complex and less interesting to children. They need a video game or television to entertain them. Children do not engage in creative play as much as I did when I was younger.

Relationship Reflection

I feel that relationships are important in your life because it is good for your health and no one wants to go through their entire lives alone. I have several relationships that are important to me. My relationship with my children is important because I have a mutual bond with them emotionally. My relationship continues to grow daily with my children as they grow, develop, and accomplish new things in life.

Another relationship that is important to me is the relationship with my brothers and sister. This relationship is especially strong because we share so many memories and stories since we were children and will continue to do so for a long time. I know I can rely on the relationships with my siblings because they are so strong and the bonds you develop with them won’t be broken. I am very fortunate to have such strong relationships with my family.

I also have relationships with people that I can call partnerships. My first partnership is with my fiancé. We have committed to a partnership and making decisions for our family together. We have trust, respect, and an understanding of the different roles that we are going to contribute to the relationship. These are all things that are required of a partnership.

With my mom I feel that I have a personal relationship and also a partnership. I have a personal bond with my mother. I can share anything with her. When I was younger she used to do things that got on my nerves, but now that I am older I can see she did what she did because she loved me. I find myself patterning some of the things that I do with my children after things she did.  The relationship I have with my mom is the most important relationship to me. I also have a partnership with my mother as we own a child care center together. We make mutual decisions about the business. This relationship is separate from our personal relationship and we do not let the business come between our personal relationships.

I also have partnerships with my child care families. We work together on caring for their children and providing them with opportunities to grow and be successful. We share responsibility in teaching the child new things and helping them grow emotionally, cognitively, and developmentally.

I couldn’t imagine if I didn’t have the relationships or partnerships I have in my life. I think that if I didn’t have these relationships then my life wouldn’t be as fulfilled as it is. I am grateful for the many types of relationships that I have and the opportunities to strengthen and grow each one.