My Connections to Play

Play represents me as a younger child through this quote by Almon, 2002 "creative play is a central activity in the lives of healthy children". The second quote by Almon, 2002 "Their learning is a

combination of their own deep inner drive to grow and learn coupled with their imitation of

the adults in their environment". Both quotes represent me as a younger child because I was always imitating my mother or something that I had experienced. The people that supported play for me when I was younger was my parents. They were very positive about the type of play that I demonstrated. My mother told me that the way I demonstrated play showed her that I was caring and affectionate towards other people. She was right because because I am a mother to so many children outside of my own and I am always willing to help anyone feel better.

Play is different from when I was a younger child. There were physical exercise in our curriculum at school and we had better controlled after school programs to help keep us in shape. We also played outside after school to stay active, until dinner was ready. All of these things have been taken away due to lifestyle changes, technology and environmental influences. Children are not free to explore their minds or the world around them. Everything that a child does in the classroom today is based on academics, not on who they are developing into. Many children do not get a chance to be themselves and enjoy childhood. Since technology is so advanced now, even the younger minds are using computers for everything. Technology has weakened the minds of children by doing everything for them. It seems to me that a child cannot even think for themselves anymore due to everything being done for them. I used to create games, drawings or paintings on my own just to use my imagination, but now children do not have an option.

The role of play have so many benefits because we as a child can use our imagination and explore the options of who we want to become as an adult. Play can help a child like me get to know their feelings and what they are good at. The role of play as an adult gives me the opportunity to observe what children are feeling inside.

Relationship Reflection

Relationships/partnerships are important to me because all individuals involved can collaborate together to doe what is in the best of the child. The relationship between an educator, parent, sister, brother, mother, father or coworker are very important because it helps the development of a healthier person in life. The reason that I say this is because with these relationships the individual will not feel alone and they are able to share and trust in these individuals to be there for them. The individuals that are important to me is my daughter, son, brothers, sister, grandson and my best friend from childhood. The relationship with my daughter is positive because we are always there for each other, we confide in each other, share our feelings and thought and mainly because we love each other. The relationship with my son is positive because we always communicate, share our feelings and thoughts and we are honest with each other. The relationship with my sister is positive because we always encourage each other and focus on how important family relationships are. The relationship with all of my 6 brothers is positive because we are always there for each other, motive each other and we keep each other going in life. The relationship with my grandson that I am building is positive because I provide that secure attachment as a mother and always there to nuture, talk and interact with him. The relationship with my best friend is positive because we share our thoughts, feelings and emotions like sisters. We are always there to lift each other up, and encourage each other to never give up on our dreams in life no matter how old we are. The factors that contribute to all of the positive relationship listed is the respect for each other, close family ties as a child. The challenges of maintaining these positive relationships with my family were the absent distance between us after our mother died and the support that most of us did not give. The special characteristices of these relationships that make the relationship was the open heart and kindness that we all share. The experiences with relationships impact my work as an effective early childhood professional by helping me contribute what I shared with my younger siblings and family toward other individuals, children and family.