My connections to play!

My connections to play!

“Play is the beginning of knowledge.” -George Dorsey          “Play is the beginning of knowledge.” -George Dorsey

As a child play was an important part of my day. During the summer months I would leave the house when the grass was still wet and play until the street lights came on. My friends and siblings and I played at the neighborhood playgrounds, in the woods and in the corn fields. We didn’t have many toys sometimes a ball or our bikes and we would play “team” games, play house, and build forts out of materials we could find.

There was very rarely any adults included in our play and the only adult support we had was freedom. The adults in my life allowed me to be independent and did not provide technology or t.v. for me. They provided a safe environment where everyone in our neighborhood looked out for all of the children so that we were free to explore and have adventures.

“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are

 learning.” -Mr. Rogers

The picture above depicts the carefree attitude we had and how play helped us grow and develop. Today play is different because there is a lack of security and children are not as imaginative. Children do not go outside as often and they rely on technology for entertainment.

I hope that parents of young children today will realize the importance of imaginative play and outside play time. I hope they will limit screen time and go outside with their children and explore the environment with their children.

In my life play has been a savior. In a world filled with apprehension I was protected so that I could explore and investigate. This gave me a sense of wonder that I can pass on to my students and share with them. Play was an escape from reality for me and helped me to discover how much the outside environment has to offer in early childhood. 

Relationship Reflection

RELATIONSHIP REFLECTION

            Relationships/partnerships are important to me because they give me purpose. Each relationship that I have has an impact on my performance as a teacher, wife, daughter, and mother. I try to be cognitive of everything I say that may have a negative impact on my relationships as well as nurture my relationship with myself. Sometimes relationships are short but that does not mean they are any less important to me than the ones that are long lasting.

            My husband and my children are the people that I have the most important relationship with right now; being a wife and a mother comes before anything else in my life. Second in my life would be my occupation. My boss, co-workers, and families that I serve all have relationships/ partnerships with me that I value. Each year I develop new relationships with families and children and those relationships do not end at the end of the school year; I value them forever.

My relationship with my husband is not only a relationship it is a partnership. In order to maintain our relationship I have to be willing to give and listen. Our relationship is one of reciprocation and it is the relationship that sustains me daily. I never go to bed upset with my husband and I talk to him as well as listen to him.

My relationship with my children is provider and supporter. I don’t always agree with the decisions that my children make but I allow them space to make decisions and be independent. I listen to them and value what they have to say. If we disagree I try to get them to see my perspective and value theirs.

When developing relationships with co-workers and families that I serve I always keep it professional. Sometimes when you try to build personal relationships outside of work with professional connections it can cause problems. I value everyone’s perspective and opinion but I also feel comfortable with providing my opinion and professional and personal perspective.

Relationships are important to my work as an effective early childhood professional because every relationship I develop creates a professional profile that sets me apart in a positive or negative light when it comes to my professional reputation. I want people who have interactions with me to remember me in a positive light and wish me well. As an active, reflective contributor to every relationship I am showing people that I value them and I value myself.  

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