My Connections to Play

Play energizes us and enlivens us.  It eases our burdens.  It renews our natural sense of optimum and opens us up to new possibilities.

Stuart Brown, MD

Contemporary American psychiatrist

Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.

Fred Rogers

American television personality

1928-2003

My sister and I enjoyed playing Barbie together.  We would play with the Barbie's house and design it.  Barbie had a car where we would pretend she was driving to the store or the beach.  I had a giraffe that was just as tall as me when I was three years old.  That was my favorite stuffed animal.  I would pretend to ride it.  My grandfather bought my sister and I "My Little Ponies".  We would play with our ponies at my grandparents house during the summer.  We would pretend they would run in a field.

My family loved how my sister and I played together very well.  We are two and a half years apart.  My family bought us toys we could play with together.  We had video games and a computer.  My sister and I enjoyed playing Barbie, riding our bikes, painting and coloring.  My family provided us with the opportunities and materials for us to play.

Play has changed due to the increase of technology.  Many families do not regulate the use of technology and encourage their children go outside to play.  Early childhood professionals can help parents find a balance between technology play and imaginary play.  Technology for children has increased dramatically in recent years.  The toys have changed also.  Some board games have been modified to include a component of technology.  Technology has changed how children play from when I was a child.

I hope early childhood professionals can help families find a balance between playing with technology and imaginary play.  Families seem to have less opportunities to play together due to the demands of their careers and lack of understanding for the need children have to release energy/frustration through play.  Children with special needs usually have accommodations for frequent breaks which allows them to get up to move more often than their typically developing peers.  Children need opportunities to play which should reduce challenging behaviors in the classroom.  Society needs to be mindful about the impact play has on a child's development.

Play encourages children to use their imagination.  When children use imaginary play, they have the opportunity to develop creative ideas.  Play also helps children adapt socially.  Children which have the opportunity to use imaginary play become productive and effective members of society.

"It takes a village to raise a child." -African Proverb-

Relationship Reflection

Relationships/partnerships are important to me because they support me spiritually and emotionally.  In my life journey, I have learned to rely on my close relationships to sort out issues or complex situations.  I trust they have what is best for me in mind when they give me spiritual and/or emotional support.  It took time to build trust and get to know each other very well.

My husband and I have a relationship and a partnership.  Our relationship, as husband and wife, provides emotional and spiritual support.  We have been married for ten years but we have known each other for fifteen years.  When my husband and I got married, we learned almost every side of one another.  We have experienced several of life's challenges and learned to work together despite our differences.

My sister and I have known each other since I was two and a half years of age.  She is the first experience I had of learning to live with another person.  We knew everything about one another.  Our relationship changed when I entered college.  I was no longer living in the same house with her and did not get a chance to talk to her every day.  We had to learn how to build a relationship as young adults by communicating with each other constantly.

My best friend and I met when I was earning my bachelor of science degree at Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach, Florida.  We have been best friends for fourteen years.  When we met, we had an instant spiritual connection.  We were and continue to be a spiritual support for one another.  After I left Daytona Beach, we lost contact for a couple of years.  Once we regained contact, we made sure we did not lose contact again.  Technology provided us the opportunity to stay in touch no matter how many times our addresses or phone numbers changed.

I have learned when situations change in our lives, it becomes more challenging to maintain relationships.  When the relationship is beginning to develop, it is even more challenging to establish trust while a person or family is going through a transition.  In my relationships, I had to share things about my life which helped us identify with each other.  The relationships were maintained by frequent and constant communication.

The special characteristics of my relationships are trust, respect, caring and love.  The relationship with my husband is also a partnership.  We have to work together to meet the financial demands of our family.  Since my husband travels to provide for our family, I am responsible for being the person which is constantly at home to take care of the children.  We work together to meet the unique needs of our children.

My experiences have taught me to be understanding.  Each person has their unique situations where they need to respected for making the best decisions with what they are given.  As an early childhood professional, I can be more effective by respecting the unique needs of families.  Relationships/partnerships require constant communication and trust.  In order for me to be an effective early childhood professional, I need to keep that in mind.

"It takes a village to raise a child." -African Proverb-