My Connections to Play

I remember when I was younger, my brother and I used to like playing spy games.  So I would pick a wooded area that we could run and hide around in.  And we did not have a lot of toys then, so we had to use our imagination and what we had around the house...

a stick to use as equipment:

rope, to tie up the bad guys:

and a walky talky, in case we needed to call back for help:

I can't really say that people supported play when I was younger.  It was more like, go outside and play and get out of the house.  I definitely look at play a lot differently with my own son.  Even before I really knew the great benefits, I looked at it as a time to bond, and I love watching him play and explore new things.  

Play today is more based on technology, I think.  Kids don't go outside as much as they used to, for different reasons.  That is why it is so important that physical education and play be incorporated into children's lives, especially in school.  

We can definitely learn a lot by watching children play.  We learn to take things one day at a time, and to stop and enjoy the little things in life.

“It is paradoxical that many educators and parents still differentiate between a time for learning and a time for play without seeing the vital connection between them.” Leo F. Buscaglia

“Play keeps us vital and alive. It gives us an enthusiasm for life that is irreplaceable. Without it, life just doesn’t taste good” Lucia Capocchione

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” George Bernard Shaw

Relationship Reflection

Relationships are important because I feel that you need people in your life that you can count on, that can be there for you.  When I was first reading this assignment, I was thinking, I don't really have any relationships, except with my son, my best friend, and if we count pets, my dog.  :)  But then I really started thinking, that although those are my main relationships, I have a relationship with my ex-husband, my son's teachers, and a few other friends, even if I don't talk to them often.

I have a positive relationship with my son, of course.  My dog actually helps us to relieve some stress by just being there, we take him for walks, and watching my son play with him makes me happy.  My best friend is always there when I need to talk to her, and she's been a pretty positive influence for me.  I have known her for about 8 years now.  A few weeks ago, I probably would not have put my ex-husband on here as a positive influence, but lately, it's been positive because I've been trying to make it positive.  The whole situation has really made me look at who I am, and ways I can change myself.

What makes these relationships so positive and important is that we are there for each other.  It is hard to find people that you can really count on to be there for you.  Especially being a single parents, I know it is important to build relationships with others, and I try to be for people what I would like for them to be as well.

I think just knowing how to build relationships will help with being an early childcare professional because you know how to see what people are looking for in their relationships, so you can try and help them to find resources to point them in the right direction.