My Connections to Play

Two quotes about play:

"You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation"-Plato

"Play is the only way the highest intelligence of humankind can unfold"-Joseph Chilton Pearce

 
 
 Playdough was always the activity that I enjoyed with my sister and mom.
 

                                                                                          Barbie was my favorite doll when I was little.

 

People supported play with me when I was little by playing with me and always encouraging me to use my imagination.

 

I feel that playtime today for children is very different from playtime when I was a child. I see more parents and educators more concerned about academics, that they think playtime is just something for children to do and that it doesn't have any meaning or benefits. My hope for young children now is to be able to enjoy their playtime and be encouraged to have more playtime, with their peers, families, and teachers/caregivers. I just want more adults to remember what it was like to be a children and how much fun they had during playtime.

 

The role of play through out my life has taught me to become the adult I am today. When I was little I would watch my mom and dad and I would pretend to be them. I would wash my dad's socks in my toy washing machine, I would pretend to cook dinner for my family in my toy oven. I would pretend to do the same things that my parents did and know as an adult I find myself taking care of my own family in the same way.

 

 

Relationship Reflection

Relationships and partnerships are important to me because I believe they are the foundation of who I have become and who I am as a person, professionally and personally.

My best friend: My best friend is very important to me because he encourages me to always do my best and never give up on my dreams.  He is always there when I need someone to help me or just be there for me when I'm going through a hard time.

My parents: They have always supported me and always told me that I can do anything if I just try and believe in myself.

My sister: She makes me feel like I can do anything and is very proud of me for going back to school and making my dreams come true.

My experiences with relationships have impacted my work as an effective early childhood professional by encouraging me to be able to talk with other people, like parents and co-workers. My relationships have also helped me in my professional work by never letting me give up on myself and always encouraging me to give 100% of myself to everything I do.