"My Connections to Play"

Quotes that represent play in my childhood

“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.”

― Plato

“Genius is play, and man's capacity for achieving genius is infinite, and many may achieve genius only through play.”  ― William Saroyan

Essential Play Items for my younger self

People Who Supported Play/The Role of Play in my Childhood

Growing up as a child I really didn’t do a lot of playing.  Just like many parents, my parents use to tell me all the time as a child to go outside and play.  To me I thought that was a punishment because all I wanted to do is get my doll babies and play school growing up.  I have always loved to read and I would get my dolls, sit them all upright and read them a story, or I would get my Etch & Sketch and pretend it was my chalkboard and try and teach them how to do math problems.  The most memorable times of play for me was play that wasn’t forced.  When I use to visit my grandparents on the weekends I use to love to play outside with my grandfather.  When we were around he acted like a big kid with us, playing softball, 1, 2, 3, Red Light, Hide and go seek, kickball and many more.  This made playing fun and it also allowed me to get the exercise that I needed because when at home all I ever wanted to do was play school or house. 

Play today versus the past

In my opinion play is totally different in 2013 versus 30 years ago.  When I was growing up children ran, jumped and played all day long or until they were called in the house and then they still wanted to play.  However today I don’t think that children are playing enough.  They still play the same games today but are more interested in video games and television.  Because of this, children aren’t utilizing their muscles and they aren’t getting the exercise that they need.  I feel that play is a vital role in a child’s development and that parents should cut the televisions off, take the video games away and encourage their children to go outside and play so that they can exercise their muscles so that they can develop physically.

My thoughts regarding play

As a child I didn’t know the importance of play, as I have grown and learned play is a vital role in a child’s development.  Although I would much rather have played with my dolls as a child, I still was able to go outside and interact with my siblings and cousins, especially on the weekends with my grandfather.  I think that it’s important that play is continuously enforced because stimulated play is part of children’s healthy development and can help with the prevention of childhood obesity. 

Relationship Reflection

I have always heard people say, you can’t live in this world alone; this is why I am thankful that I have people in my life who love me unconditionally.  My closest relationships are with my husband, my mom and my siblings.  These people are the most important to me even though I have many other people who I know without a doubt love me.

Relationships are important to me, some don’t last and some last forever.  They have molded me to become the person that I am today.  You not only learn from relationships but you grow from the bonds that are built and they continuously teach me the meaning of unconditional love and how to not only receive it, but give it as well.

My husband, Tracy is my number one fan.  He supports me not just emotionally but in every aspect.  He encourages me to go after my dreams and encourages me.  He doesn’t judge me but isn’t afraid to tell me when I am wrong.  He loves me unconditionally and in turn taught me how to do the same.  We can be silly together and serious together.  He knows me inside out and knows what makes me tick, he cares about feelings and always has a listening ear and I do the same for him.  We have grown together as individuals and as a couple and after ten years of marriage our relationship and bond together continues to grow because of the love and support that we show one another.

My mom, Peggy is the best even though she still treats me like a little girl instead of 34 year old.  She always shares her experiences and we can talk about anything without judging.  She also supports my aspirations and dreams and about hard work.  She is a good example of what a mother should be.  She is a woman of grace and her example showed me how to be one also.  We don’t always agree but we have learned that we don’t always have to.  She gives me respect as a young woman but will remind me if need be that although I’m not a child, I’m still her child. 

My siblings, Christee and Renee are older than me, but I feel like the oldest.  They come to me for advice and for moral support.  They value my opinion/feedback when it’s offered and it means a lot to know that they value the thinks that I have to say and even come to me when they need to.  We have our sibling rivalries from time to time but the unconditional love and support that we show one another keeps our bond close and unbreakable.

All of these relationships are important and because they continue to grow and continue to shape the person that I am.  We maintain these bonds because we communicate and respect one another which are vital in any relationship.  We listen to one another and we care about each other’s feelings.  The one characteristic that makes each of these relationships special is the unconditional love and respect that we show one to another.

These relationships contribute to me as a professional because I have learned through these relationships that if my heart isn’t in it nothing will manifest.  So I apply that same thing to my work, if my heart isn’t in what I do then I won’t be successful at it and I won’t be able to build positive and meaningful relationships with the children and families that I serve.