My Connections to Play

There are two quotes that I have selected that summarize what play represents for me in my childhood.

“The most effective kind of education is that a child should play amongst lovely things.” – Plato

This quote is applicable to my childhood because play was a very effective way for me to learn and become educated on a variety of levels.

“You can do anything with children if only you play with them”- Anonymous, German Proverbs.

This quote is also applicable to my childhood because I was able to accomplish many things and learn a variety of skills because my parents, siblings, friends, and peers played with me on a constant basis.

There are many things that I played with at a child that allowed me grow and develop. However, three of my most essential play items were legos, books, and my Barbie dolls and Barbie dream house. These items are featured below.

Play was extremely important within my childhood. Although video games were just becoming popular during this time, my brother, my friends, and I spent the majority of our time using our imaginations and creativity and participating in cognitive play, physical play, and other forms of play that have been described within the course. All of these types of play were supported by our parents, peers, educators, and the entire community.

In some ways, play is similar today as it was during my childhood. However, there are many more differences. Play in today’s world is very focused on whether it is or not age appropriately and politically correct. At the same time, play today relies much more on technology and does not challenge children socially, physically, or in terms of his or her imagination.  The differences aside, it is believed that play has been a very important part of my life and remains to be very important of children of today in order to ensure healthy growth and development on a variety of levels.

Relationship Reflection

Relationships and partnerships are extremely important to me because it allows me to better serve and understand the needs of my clients and their children. For example, if an honest and effective relationship or partnership has not been formed, I will not be able to understand the challenges that the parents and child face. I also will not be able to understand the objectives or goals that parents and children wish to achieve. This will compromise my ability to develop a social story that is effective and addresses the needs of the child and his or her parents. At the same time, relationships and partnerships are extremely important in my personal and educational life. In addition to providing support, these relationships allow me to meet my social needs and experience personal and professional growth.

Currently, I have several positive relationships or partnerships in my personal and professional life.  These individuals include my mother and other family members, my friends Lynn and Rose, and my classmates and clients. The relationship with my mother and other family members are positive because we support one another and provide each other with love and guidance. The relationships with my friends Lynn and Rose are positive because we assist each other on a professional level and share our love for dogs. For example, without this positive relationship I would not have my children’s books available in the libraries of several hospitals in Manhattan nor would I be privileged with having my books be part of the exit packet for children at St. Jude’s Hospital. Finally, my relationship with my classmates and clients are positive because we push each other to learn and grown, provide each other with guidance, and provide benefits to each other.

Several factors contribute to the development and maintenance of these relationships.  In addition to honesty, effective communication, openness, and correspondence all contribute to the development and maintenance of these relationships.  Overtime, I have encountered challenges in developing these and other relationships. Overall, it is believed that active listening, compassion, persistence, and the belief to agree to disagree have allowed me to overcome conflicts or challenges.  There are several charachteristics which I believe allow these relationships to form into of a partnership. In addition to a certain degree of “give and take”, the charachteristics of mutual respect, admiration, and working together to achieve a common goal would allow these to relationships to become partnership.

Because I have the ability to develop strong relationships and partnerships will all types of individuals, I see this as a benefit to working in the field of early childhood. As a result of this skill I possess the ability to establish trust, facilitate growth and development, encourage collaboration, and meet the needs of children, parents, and community members.