My Connections to Play

Creative play is like a spring that bubbles up from deep within a child.

-Joan Almon

You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.
-         Plato

I was an only child and because of this I was provided many toys for my toy box.  My mother insisted that I have a variety of dolls including Barbies, Paper Dolls, Baby Dolls, Doll Heads to style their hair and makeup, and ceramic dolls.  She also provided me with Hula Hoops, Jump Ropes, Jack Stones, Paddle Boards, and a host of board games.  Their was never a dull play moment in my whether it was Solitary play or Associative Play. I enjoyed play either in or outdoors. My parents insisted I experienced playtimes either with them, my family, or friends.  My parents gave me the freedom of pretend play and many opportunities to play freely.

In today’s society I don’t children experience play as freely as children years past.  Children’s play now is accompanied with some type of technology.  I can honestly admitted as a parent I invested in just about every product Leap Frog has introduced on the market from the Lead Pad for infants to the Leapster and then to the Lead Frog writing pad.  I felt during my children’s free time they could use these products to increase their learning.   I found over time even though they enjoyed these products, they wanted the bicycles, skates, balls and cars they could push to move around on the floor.  They truly wanted the simply toys.  I believe as a society we have moved away from the simple toys because we feel children need those toys that will be prepare them educationally.  As my children have continued to grow I become more conscientious of their need for fresh air and opportunities to play freely to gain those necessary social emotion skills to make them successful in life.

Reflective Relationships



Me, my step brother, sisters, step mother, daddy and my boys



Me and the love of my life Tony



Relationships are important to me because they provide love, support, and encouragement.  One of my most important relationships was with my mother; she passed away in March of 97.  It was her loving, honest and supportive personality that truly made me the person I am today.  My relationship with my father was also one of support and encourage. They are picture in my childhood web.  My have wonderful relationships with my good friends, my sisters and brothers, and extended family.  My most important relationship currently is with my husband Tony and our son’s Thomas and Timothy.  I cherish these relationships because my husband is my best friend, confidant, and love.  I cherish the opportunity to mother our sons and build a wonderful trusting relationship.





Me and two of my coworkers



I have found developing and maintaining relationships truly take work.  Relationships must be cultivated with communication and quality time.  I learned from the passing of my mother and other close family members that relationships are not to be taken for granted.  It is necessary to take the time to make a call or even a visit to say hello or I love you.


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me and my God Children

 

The special characteristic of the relationships I have that make some partnerships is trust.  For example, my husband and I are life partners.  We committed ourselves to each other over fourteen years ago. This commitment included building our lives together including parenting children.





My experiences with relationships/partnerships help me to be more effective as an early childhood professional because they cause me to be more sensitive to others feelings and needs.  It also helps me to be mindful of how I communicate with others as well as respect the thoughts and opinions of others.