My Connections to Play

“Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s soul.” Friedrich Froebel (founder of the concept of kindergarten)

 

 

“The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct.” – Carl Jung

 

 

 

 

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

My grandmother supported play when I was younger by allowing my siblings and I to explore the outdoor space of our back yard for long periods of time.  She let us use old pans that were on longer useful to her in play to create cakes from mud.  We were use to watching her bake cakes and pie on the weekend for dinner; then on Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday she baked multiple cakes, pies and cookies.  I loved making cakes using mud; I realized now I was recreating what I had observed my grandmother doing for many years I was learning the process from my perspective as a child.  I was developing my cognitive skills of adding ingredients, motor skills digging up the dirt and stirring to incorporated make believe ingredients.  My social and language skill were developing from the communication that occurred between my siblings and any other neighborhood friends who joined use in our master creations.  

 

 

I feel play is different from play that I engaged in when I was a child; play today for children is now planned I have over heard parents talking about getting together for play dates with their child's friends. Families usually meet at someones house or the park; when I was a child friends just showed up at your house to play they would knock on the door and ask my grandmother if we come out to play.  In school free play has been converted into gym where there are planned physical activities for students; for younger children the time is shortened and there is more emphasis on academics than for children to have opportunities to make believe.  The interest of child involved play now consist of wii's, game boys, nintendo's , and computer/tablets.  Children are no longer choosing to go outside for physical activity; they are opting to sit with game systems.  I think children's lack of physical activity could be linked to the increase in juvenile diabetes among young children.  

 

 

Rushton & Juola-Rushton, 2008 research indicates that play stimulates brain development this is why it is important for educators to craft child-centered learning environments that stimulates the interest of children and optimizes the brain's ability to understand, absorb and retain information.  The role I think play has had in my life was in my career choice.  I mentioned in a previous class that use to pretend to be a teacher; i find it interesting that the role I occupied during my play time was an educator.  I think my play spilled over into my real life which indicates to me make believe for children could be a prelude to what they will become later in life.    

 

 

Reference

 

Rushton, S., & Juola-Rushton, A. (2008).  Classroom learning environment, brain, research, and the no child left behind initiative: 6 years later.  Early Childhood Education Journal, 36(87), 87-92.    

Relationship Reflection

Relationships are important to me because I need some to talk to sharing my ideas, hopes and dreams with; relationships are support sometimes we need our egos stroked and then other times we may need a smack on the back of the hand.  I think of it as a checks and balance keeping me in line when I may to far to either end of the spectrum good or bad. (bad side never happens)  We are social beings we were not created to alone Adam had Eve

The people I have positive relationships with include my sister, mother, brother, his wife, my nephews, and several colleague. The relationship with my sister is positive because I share the most with her about my ideas, hopes and dreams she understands and can occasionally give me insight to my thoughts which helps me with making decisions. 
My mom does the same sometimes she usually finds out things after I have shared them with my sister. 
My brother checks on us to make sure we are okay.  He is always there to support me when I need help with my car.  He always volunteers to come look at it when he discovers there is a problem. 
My sister in law is wonderful she puts up with my brother.  My relationship with her has developed over the years initially we were not close because I felt like she took my brother away.  But today we spend time talking since they host a lot of the family gatherings.
My nephews are wonderful handsome young men they bring the hugs when you need one. 
My colleagues we talk about happening at work and sometimes we problem solve together.  But our conversations are not limited to work we also discuss family life as well. 

Each of these relationships has been developed through constant contact via family gatherings, telephone, a lot texting, face time and Saturday lunches.

The challenges I have encountered while developing and maintain these relationships is lack of communication for a long period of time.  I learned people feel as though you do not care when stay out of touch for extended periods of time.  I have learned to reach out to those I care about a least every other week some weekly.  This time period is mainly due to my schedule with work and school.

The special characteristics I see that make these relationships a partnership is the participation in conversation, the contact with all the interest in what is going on in life of others. 
 
My experiences with relationship/partnerships, including my ability to be an active, reflective contributor, impact my work as an effective early childhood professional because I would work just as hard with the families of the children in my care as I would with the personal relationships/partnerships I have outside of work.  Both these social processes take work and they are all important and if it is up to me to break the ice putting an effort to make it work then I will do it so.