Connetions to Play

Quotes about play

Play is hard to maintain as you get older. You get less playful. You shouldn’t, of course.

Richard Feynman
American physicist
1918–1988

We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.

George Bernard Shaw
Play was a huge part of my life as a child.  What I most remember is playing dress up with fabulous coats, dresses and big shiny jewerly my aunt left when she died.  I loved Barbie dolls and when I wasn't in the house, we were at the beach playing in the sand and flying kites or in Rock Creek Park riding bikes.


        
Both my mom and dad encouraged play, providing my sister and I lots of space, materials, toys, and time to play. I played daily as I was not allowed to watch TV during the week and we did not have gaming systems.  Play was very important as I learned how to work with others, fostered my imagination, and dreamed of going to other places and becoming whoever I wanted to be.

I feel sad when I think about the current state of play.  TV and video systems have replaced play and spending time outside.  When I was a child I was told to stay outside until the street lights came on.  Now, many children come home and sit infront of the TV or play video games until its time to go to bed.  In school, play time has drascally decreased, if it occurs at all.  It is my hope that parents,educators, child care providers, and caregivers learn and recognise the importance of play.  I hope that children find joy in pretending, will one day build cities with whatever they find, and create, imagine, and enjoy being a child.

Relationship Reflection

I have learned over the years the importance of true friends and the value of having authentic relationships with friends and family.  Relationships, of all kind, I have come to believe support  who you are at the core.  Relationships are not meant to comply but should compliment a persons beliefs and values.  I learned your real friendships and relationships keep you humble, encourage growth, and love hard.  My most successful relationship has been with my girl friend Danielle.  We have been friends 19 years in August, truly my longest friendship ever (I'm 28 so its almost my entire life).  Danielle and I do not always agree be we have learned to respect our differences, we challenge each other when we think we should, we question each other especially when it comes to decisions about health and men, we support each other even when we disagree.  She loves hard, tells the truth when you don't want to hear it, and will ring the alarms when its time to handle business.  I have learned that a true friendship supports, loves, are is truthful 100%.  My other best friend is a guy named Reggie.  He is my right hand.  We have known each other for 11 years but have been very close for 6.  He helps me to see things differently and challenges me to be better, especially in regards to my relationship with my significant other.  With Reggie, I also learned the value of truth.  But more importantly, I learned that real friends accept you for you and not for what you can do, will do, or should do. 

Currently I am in a relationship with a great man, Kullen.  Kullen and I have been together for almost 4 years.  This is the most difficult partnership I have ever had.  Although we are in a relationship we are also in a partnership as we both help to successfully raise a child and run a home.  Communication is the biggest challenge in this partnership as it took, and it still taking, us a long time to get it.  We found that we have to work hard to ensure the other partner is digesting the information in the meaning we intended.  I have learned the power behind my tone of voice and I am learning to have better control with it.  Within this parentership there is a lot of compromise and sacrifice which at times is difficult.  The difference between friendships and partnerships is the degree of compromise and Scarface. Kullen and I are working toward forever goals and although my friends and I will always be forever, the work to maintain each relationship is different. 

Aside from the boyfriend and best friends I have an awesome relationship with my dad and mom .  I have learned through all of these relationships that it takes two for a relationship to flourish and survive and it requires work.  Within my relationships, I have learned the importance of self reflection and the power of honesty and real love. My friendships and relationships all challenge me to be better and advocate for me.  Having someone always in your corner, supporting you, cheering you on, and just being their is an indescribable feeling.  Just as important it is for adults to have that person, whether family member or other, children also need that person, and sometimes that person is the teacher.  ECE professional should understand the value of creating relationships with young children as it helps to foster positive self image and creates an environment for trust.