My Connections to Play

Quotes about what play represented to me when I was younger

Whoever wants to understand much must play much.

Gottfried Benn
German physician
1886–1956

  

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

Stuart Brown, MD
Contemporary American psychiatrist

Play fosters belonging and encourages cooperation.

Stuart Brown, MD
Contemporary American psychiatrist

Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.

Kay Redfield Jamison
Contemporary American professor of psychiatry

Three of my essential play items when I was younger

    

This was the popular toy to have as a girl. 

My pink bike

The playground

How play was supported

During my childhood years play was something that was expected out of children. My mother would give me one rule in regards to play be in before dinner time. She supported my need to get out and explore by letting me do so.  I can remember playing with my friends, I would get on my bike and ride to my best friends house up the street, climb the apple tree in my front yard, walk to the playground around the corner or play with my cabbage patch dolls.

Play today is much different than the play I experienced as a child. In my play days I explored outside, was able to play without parent eyes on me every second, I moved alot from going to the playgrounds and I played everyday. Play is far from this today. Now play has been limited to playing video games, not being able to explore the outside due to violence or parent's fears, having parents eyes on the child every second if a child is at play on the playground (which is good from a adult perspective but horrible from a childs perspective). I hope that play will be given the importance it needs once again in childrens' lives. I hope that children will once again have the freedom to explore, experiment, discover, and build self confidence as I once did through my play.

Role of play throughout childhood and adulthood

Play throughout my childhood helped me to form friendships with others. I was a pretty shy child in school, but once I was at play with others after school in my neighboorhood I opened up and begin to make friends through my play. Play gave me confidence and always pushed me to try new things, such as who could swing the highest and then jump off the swing. Through play I created elaborate imaginary play episodes in my mind that would lead me on daring adventures.

Play throughout my adulthood has helped me imagine things that I had not thought possible then acheiving them. Play throughout adulthood has helped to relieve stress, re-energize me, and helps me remember that life should not just be lived seriously because every one needs time to play.

Relationship Reflection

Relationships are important to me because some have helped shape who I am, who I want to be and have provided me with a safe place to communicate my feelings and thoughts. There are a few people that I share a positive relationship with they are: My mother, my co-worker and best friend, my sister, and my children.

My mother:
My mother is the person who has helped to shape me into the person I am today. She is person with whom I can share my accomplishments and disappointments with, without the feeling of being judged.

My co-worker/best friend:
My co-worker/best friend is extremely valuable to me. She is someone who understands the challenges that I face in the classroom and out of the classroom. She is someone who always encourages me to continue on in my education and in the field of early childhood.

My Sister:
My sister is a safe place to turn to when I am in need of a positive word. She strengthens me spiritually and helps me talk things out when I am not quit sure the direction I should be taking.

My children:
My children bring a lightness to my life. They are always there to bring a smile, or make me laugh. My children get me out of my thoughts and bring me into their world, which to them is all about play and fun. They teach me about enjoying life and enjoying the moment and season I am in.

My relationships are not only based on what others give me but also on what I give to others. They are relationships that I have committed my time and energy to developing and maintaining through communicating, listening, being there for them, and helping them in any way I can. In maintaining my relationships there are challenges that arise that must be addressed so that the relationships can continue to stay strong and that is misunderstandings. In all relationships there is bound to be a time when something is misunderstood by someone, I have found the best way to handle this is to ask for clarification from the others you are speaking with before you create a dilemma that really does not exist at all.

My relationships can be seen as partnerships in the sense that both of us have invested into each others lives and it is an investment that is so valuable that it gets our full attention. My experiences with relationships/partnerships can impact my work as an effective early childhood professional by reminding me that relationships do not just happen over night they take time to develop and maintain; they are hard work but once you have formed a positive relationship the benefits are lasting.