Childhood Connections to Play

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)

“Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.” Kay Redfield Jamison (professor of psychiatry)

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a child my parents encouraged me to go outside and play.  I was not given all the fancy toys.  I was encouraged to make friends and to use my imagination.  My parents got us things that we could play with others, jump ropes, jacks, and balls. Our whole neighborhood would come out and play together and just have fun.  Parents would be out while we played talking to each other.  If all the parents were not out at least on parent from the neighborhood would be out there with us.

 

 

 

 

I feel that play is not the same as when I was a child.  In today’s society children are playing more video games and computer games.  When I was child I could not wait to get home from school and go outside and play.  Growing up we didn’t have fancy toys or games we played with whatever was available.  You ask a child today to go outside and play and they look at you like your nuts.  Do just run around and play is odd to them.  If a child is not at a park with all the equipment that parks have they will be bored.  Playing video games is what they consider play today.  I could go outside for hours at a time and play hide-N-seek with my friends, have water balloon fights, tags and other games that did not involve any toys and have fun. 

 

 

I hope that children today can learn how to put down the electronics and go back to good old fashion play.  Where they can be engaged with their peers and have hours of non-stop fun.  Children today don’t even play board games like we use too.  Another thing I would like to see is parents bring back game night.  Parents need to also be engaged with their children.  Have a night where they take away all the electronics and have a simple family game night.  I know it may be hard at first but if parents engage children will follow.

 

 

 

Without play I don’t believe I would be the same outgoing person I am.  I need play to help me develop a sense of self.  My childhood is full of great memories of myself, my family and my friends just having fun and playing.  Now that I am an adult and about to be mother I want to make sure that I instill play in my child’s life.  I don’t want my child to be deepened on electronics to have fun.  I want him/her to be able to play freely and use their imagination to have fun and explore the world in which we live in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relection on Building Relationships

RELATIONSHIP REFLECTION

 

 

"Human relationships, and the effects of relationships on relationships, are the building blocks of healthy development" (Shonkoff & Phillips, 2004, p. 4).

 

When I think about the importance of relationships, I look back on my entire life.  From the time we are born, we start building relationships.  Our immediate family and caregivers are most likely the first relationships we build.  These relationship teach us how to form bonds, work out issues and more.  I am so thankful for the people I have had in my life and I build a strong and positive relationship with.

 

The people in life that I have are positive relationship with is, my husband, my unborn child, my sister and my friend Latisha Ward and Roslyn Bailey. 

 

 I will start with my husband and unborn child, these are the two people that I wake up for.  We have been married for three years but together for over 20 years.  He has been my rock and my biggest support.  When I say "I can't" he always tells me I can.  There has been some ups and downs but we have work through them all.  Besides the love we share for each other we support each others dreams and goals.  We are now experience parenthood together.  This is a journey that we are enjoying and also getting to know each other even more.  Everything I do from now is for the love of my child and make sure he/she has the life that I didn't.  I plan to create an unbreakable bond with my child.  I want to support my child with all the support he/she needs. 

 

 
 
 
 
My sister is my best friend.  I only have one sister and we have not always been the best of friends, but not we are two peas in a pod.  My sister currently owns three local daycare centers.  During my current process of opening a center and having a child she has been by my side through the whole process.  I could not ask for a better sister and I would not trade her in for the world.  This relationship is important to me because, its just the two of us.  I believe that family should always be there for each other no matter what.  I know my sister feels the same as I do and I so appreciate her for all she has done for me and my family.  Having a positive relationship with her and going through what I am going through makes it a lot easier.  She is there anytime of the day I need to ask her a question or even just talk, or vent.  She always listens and never judges me. 



 

 

 

I have a few selection of friends.  I feel that some people use the word friend too loosely.  My friend Latisha Ward and Roslyn Bailey are the true definition for what a friend is.  Latisha is just a God sent.  Her and her family have been here with going through the process of opening my own daycare.  When I think something is not going to happen she helps me see the brighter side and she finds a way to make it work.  When I give up she fights harder than me.  Latisha is running her own saloon, and is married and has two children of her own, but she still finds time to support me and be there for me.  She has donated her tips to opening of my business.  This is not only a positive relationship but on that has been in the making since childhood.  There is genuine love and support that I get from Latisha and I so appreciate her and all that she does for me.  She is not just helping me but she goes to all my doctors appointments and is there to cheer me on.  She knows that this pregnancy is something I am nervous about and something that scares me, but she is there to pray with me and to just be a friend and tell me its ok, that no matter what God has me and my child, and that all my dreams will come true, I will open my center and it will be successful.  Her support means the world cause right now she is one of few people that has shown their support for my dream.

 

 

 

 

 

I met Roslyn when we were both working together 20 years ago.  We have been best friends ever since.  She has two children who I have been in their lives since birth.  I remember going through all the trails and troubles with Roslyn, I seen her grow into a great women.  She is my inspiration to what a good mother is.  She made sure her child had the best.  She sacrificed everything for her children.  I want to be as great as mother as Roslyn is.  Not only did she raise her two children but she raised her niece as well.  In the face of adversity she always stayed positive.  We prayed, cried, and laughed together.  What makes her relationship important to me is that no matter what life brought on us we never left each others side.  When I found out I was pregnant, she was there for me.  She works at an OB/GYN office and made my appointment and made sure I had the best doctor.  She too is there are every appointment.  She even is on call with all my crazy pregnancy questions.  Roslyn is also the example of what a friend is, she too is a God sent. 

 

 

 

These and a few others have help make the person I am today.  I truly don't believe that without these people being who they are I would not be who I am today.  God puts people and into your life for a reason and a season, I am truly blessed to have them apart of my life and I am blessed to say they will be a part of my child's life as well.  I know that the positive impact they had on my life, that they will be a positive impact on his/her life as well.  The love that I have received in my life is the same love I give to the children and families that are in my care.  I treat the children I care for the same way I want someone to treat my child.  When working with young children in this field you don't know who and what influences the children you care have in their lives.  I try my best to be the positive influence they have.