"My Connections to Play"

                                                                            

     

"Play is our brains favorite way of learning."
Diane Ackerman

"Children need the freedom and time to play.

 Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity."
Kay Redfield Jamison

Growing up my parents encouraged me to go outside an play. I guess they knew how important it was to be creative in pretending and letting your imagination run wild. When I was younger I looked forward to playing with my dolls, balls, riding my bicycle, and pretending to be a teacher with my family, and friends. Electronic devices were not popular when I was growing up. We watched television but not as much as children growing up these days. There was nothing more important to me than going outside to play. I enjoyed and looked forward to playing everyday and if we made it home to late, or the weather was bad I would ask my parents if I would be able to play the next day and they assured me I would.


Play today is different than when I was little. We would go outside and physically play until the street lights came on and then it would be time for us to head home. Playing would include activities like swinging on the swings, playing in the dirt, hide and seek with friends, baby dolls, and riding bikes. Today children think playing nintendo, wii, ipods, and on computers is real play. Play consist of being physical, having social interactions, creativity, using imaginations, dexterity, and cognitive strengths.

Insight gained from the importance of play is that it helps with brain development. Play allows children to create and explore the world around them. Play has an ability to foster overall success in school and in life.

                                                                            

                                                                            

Relationship Reflection

Relationships and family partnerships are essential to development cognitively, emotional and socially.  Relationships have an impact on individuals being successful and having positive productive future.  Positive, supportive relationships are important during the earliest years of life; they are essential not only cognitive development but also healthy in emotional development. Relationship’s build character and strengthens peoples understanding help build trust and respect of others. Communication is an important key in having a successful relationship’s.

Koran is my husband and our relationship is built on a foundation of love, commitment, and trust. Our union is based on fulfilling the purpose in life that God has for us and being happy, raising our children in a God fearing home.

My mother Denise and I have a very special relationship. My mother is very supportive, always giving spiritual advice and corrects me when I’m wrong.  She makes me feel special by the little things done to show how much I am appreciated. The relationship I have with my mother can’t be replaced.

My father Ernest and I have a father daughter relationship that is strong.  My father was the provider for his family, very nurturing and caring of his family. He also taught me the importance of family. We spent lots of time together doing things that I liked to do as well as things he liked to do. One thing I can say about my father is that he talks the talk and walks the walk leading by example. I really value the relationship between my father and I.

Communicating with each other can be a challenge in having an effective relationship. You have to be open to the opinions and feelings of others. If you are not open to the opinions of others this may cause conflict in the relationship. Trust and respect for others are components of a successful relationship.  

My experiences with my relationships will be the foundation for the relationships that I build with my students and their families. I will bring the same components that I value in other relationships to build upon in the relationships that I form with my students and their families to be impactful in my work as an effective early childhood professional.