My Connections to Play

Two quotes that summarize what play represented for me in childhood:

“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.”

          Fred Rogers

         American television personality

“In our play we reveal what kind of people we are.”

          Ovid

          Roman poet

Play items for the younger me:                                       

                  

 

During my childhood my parents supported me in getting me the dolls I desired to play with.  I used to love playing with my baby dolls and pushing the baby doll in the stroller.  I actually had a stroller for my doll that was made as the one above.  I also used to love playing with my tea sets.  My mother would pretend to be eating and drinking with me.  I think I used to get a new tea set every Christmas.  Sometimes my mother and grandmother would give me old pots from the kitchen to play with after the handle fell off or something like that.  My parents encouraged me to play and enjoy my childhood.

I feel that play is different from play of when I was a child.  When I was growing up we played outside all of the times.  We played games such as hide-n-go-see; hop scotch, and red rover.  We also play more with toys such as dolls, tea sets, and bicycles.  We were more physical in play during my childhood.  We were just bursting with energy.  Today, the children stay inside and play electronic games, get on the computer, and watch television for enjoyment.

I would hope that the young children today would start to enjoy playing outside and get more physically active.  Being physically active in play outside helps a child to become healthier in developing muscle strength and control.  They are less likely to be over-weight.  And, they learn to have respect for teammates and opponents when playing competitively.

I think that the role of play throughout my childhood and adulthood has made me a better person.  I believe that play has helped me to be a fair, considerate, and understanding person.  It has helped me to learn as a child some of what I thought it was to care for your baby (playing with the baby dolls gave me this outlook on motherhood).  Play has aided in developing me cognitively by thinking outside the box.  Play has helped me to develop socially and emotionally connected to people.

Relationship Reflection

This is my daugbterYolanda.  Yolanda is twenty-seven years old and lives in Marietta, GA.  My daughter and I have a loving relationship.  We talk every other day on the phone and if I'm not at home when she calls or I miss her call on my cellphone, she leaves a message like, "Mom, where are you?--you know you're suppose to be home.  Call me!!!"  Sometimes she thinks she is the mother.  She helps me with all of this advance technology and I probably wouldn't function without her help.  She is the best blessing I've ever had.  We are able to communicate very well.  We listen to each others point of view and go from there.  Talking through things helps in making wise decisions.

I have two older sisters.  The oldest one is Connie.  We see each other about once a month, but we talk on the phone every week.  Our mother passed almost eight years ago and Connie also thinks that I have to report to her about where I am or what I'm doing.  But, I don't mine sometimes because it's all in love.  My family is small, so we are a close knit family.  If one of us is hurting about something, we comfort each other.  If we are happy about something, we share in the happiness and joy.

My other sister name is Shelia.  I talk to Shelia everyday and we live only about five miles apart.  We discuss everything from the job, personal life, to business.  We get together every Friday and have dinner together.  Shelia is the protector in the family.  There is nothing that we won't do for each other.  Our mother taught us to be strong individuals and to love and respect others. 

I am a people person.  I love being around people in general.  I try to give everyone respect and treat them with kindness.  However, this is common for my family period.  I find that being open and honest with people is the best way to be.  It relieves stress off of me and the other person.  In my workplace, I've learned that you must communicate with other co-workers in order to get the job done.  We have a closeness in my workplace just as family; however, we do not overstep our lines.  For example, my supervisor and I get along very well.  I would say that she is one of my closest friend; however, I respect that she is my supervisor and I love that we maintain the professional level as well.  Any relationship can be challenging at times but you must learn to be open and not bias about situations.  I believe that in the partnerships I have with my family and co-worker I will be open-minded, respectful, trusting, and caring in the early childhood field in developing an effective partnership with the families.