Role of "Play"

My thoughts of role on "play," now and when I was a child; it is essential for children to be introduced to "play," but in a positve form. Children need to experience as many forms of positve "play" as to their developmental growth. Growing up, we all played together in the neighborhood and in pre-school. I remember playing with friends and experiencing times, were I may have cried or my feelings got hurt, but in the end, I learned different types of "play." Play is beneficial for children to go through in order to grow and learn from. I learned problem-solving skills, and how to deal with certain things through interacting with my peers. It is crucial in todays early childhood programs for children to experinces "play." Play stimulates children thoughts and allows them to make their on decisions. It is crucial for children to experience and learn things on thier own; this enables them to grow into productive individuals. Play is the first opportunity for children to discover the world in which they live in (Jona K. Anderson-McNamee, 2010).

Play is important because it is the way in which children are able to to use and reflect on their experiences, to represent their ideas and to ask answer questions that preoccupy them (Smidt 2006).

Entry on "Play"

In terms of the differences in "play," when growing up as a child as to now with children, is not much of a difference. We have to understand that times have changed tremendously with children and what they're introduced to in todays society; some are good and bad. I remember my Aunt who passed away a year ago saying, "Times are not like they use to be." And this statement is very much so when it comes down to children in the early childhood, in terms of "play." Children learn from adults; therefor we must introduce children to postive "play" regardless of what type of play they maybe experiencing out side of the early childhood environment.

My hopes for children in our today's society to be introduced to postive "play." Play is healthy for children to grow and develop. Developmentalist believe that play is the most productive and enjoyable activity that children undertake (Elkind, 2007).  

Childhood "Play"

Growing up as a child all the children in the neighborhood played together. It didn't matter what type of game we played, we all played. We all got a long and played well togther. Looking back on my childhood play; I would not have ever thought that the games we played together and the interaction between us, played a vital part in our developmental growth. Parents encouraged children to play together. The role of play was just as important than as it is now; just wasn't acknowledge as it is today.

Essential Pictures of "Play"

Whether children are building blocks, painting or running, these are all a forms of "play." Children are developing social skills, while enteracting with one another. Their developing while using their small motor skills. 

"MY Connections to Play"

Quotes:

*Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning. They have to play with what they know... to be true and in order to find out more, and they can use what they learn in new forms of "Play."
                                                                                    
                                                                     Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers Neighborhood

*It is a happy talent to know how to "Play."

                           Ralph Waldo Emerson

*It is paradoxical that many educators and parents still differentiate between a time for learning and a time for "play" without seeing the vital connection between them

                                                                           Leo Buscaglia, author, educator

Relationships/Partnerships impact my work as an Early Childhood Educator

Being a positive and effective childcare educator all begins with who you are as an individual. We are mothers/fathers, siblings, Aunts/Uncles and etc first. Once we understand what is our earhtly purpose of being here, than we can understand what is set forth for our lives. I'm a caring and loving person and have always had the desire to work with children. I knew my passion and calling was to be a teacher when I was a young girl. I worked in the high school level for almost nine years and in the begining, I really enjoyed what I did. But it seemed as though something was missing. During this time, I would volunteer at my daughter's school and would be filled with so much joy being around younger children. They are so sweet and curious at this age level. One day I woke up and had an epiphany; my calling was to work with younger children. I put a two week notice in with my job and was hired exactly two weeks later with the company I'm currently with now and have been for almost five years. Over the course of these years, I have learned things that I will take with me through my educational journey. The good and the bad have help me become a better person and teacher. Without challenges, how could we grow and become better teachers? We learn from our mistakes and we strive to do better. I know without a doubt, that my experiences in the past will and  have caused me to be a better person and a better teacher.

Characteristics of Relationships that makes Partnerships

 We as educators should always look for new ways to build positive relationships with children and their  families as we would our own. Understanding one another differences; whether through, race, cultural, or religion. In order to build healthy relationships and allow these relationships to grow into partnership, we must never be intentionally bias towards people because they are from a different background. We all share the same values and norms, and that is helping children, families and our own loves ones be productive individuals and live healthy lives. Healthy relationships can turn into productive partnerships. Team work is a an effort that we must implement in our personal lives as well as our careers.

Insights regarding Challenges in Relationships..

I'm a firm believer that once we know better we do better. What builds strong relationships/partnerships is learning from past mistakes and making better choices when dealing with situations in the future. Last year I thought that I had build a relationship with a parent and I shared information that I thought she would benifit from. I noticed some things about her child that I felt  as a teacher needed to be brought to the Mother's attention. I shared with her that maybe she should consider getting the child screen. Apparently she became defensive; two days later my director called me into her office and stated, she needed to speak with me concerning a complaint. I knew right away who and what it was about. After this incident, I promised to never offer my opinion pertaining to someone child cognitive developmental skills. Yet, in the teacher hand book states "We as teachers must try and build personal relationships with parents, through effective communiation." This incident allowed me to understand that every parent is not going to be open to hear the the truth about whats best for their child. And every parent will not be able to accept constructive criticism when dealing with their child. I have learned new approaches when talking with parents regarding their child cognitive development.

Ways in which Relationships is positive and Maintaining them..

Just like respecting our supervisors or the parent who we come in contact with daily, we must have the same amount of respect or more for our love one's as well. I once read that we often hurt the people who are most closet to us when we are dealing with life issues. I once was very much quilty of this. Before I went through counseling some years ago; I didn't know how to deal with situations and circumstances that came about in my life. Once I learned how to manage my emotions, than everything else fell into place. Understanding the stress from a bad day at work is to never come home with me and me never to take my home life to work, this has helped me in building better and stronger relationships with people in my life, and on my job

Importance of Relationships/Partnerships

It is always good to have positive relationships with people. Now don't get me wrong, we want be able to maintain good relationships with every one. But the ones who are worth our love, friendship, trust and respect than we must remain loyal to those people. My fiance is not only my soon to be husband, but he's my partner as well. He's always been my best friend since were children. Never thought in a million years that he would one day become my husband. As  I stated in my first blog post, my mother, children, family pet and my fiance are the most important people to me. I wish to continue to maintain positive relationship with them through out my life. 

Relationship Reflection

I have build many relationships over the course of the years, with family, friends, coworkers, teacher-parent, with my students and even intimate relationships. But the relationship that I cherish the most is relationships with my Mother, children and my dog Gracie. My children have always been my life line support. When I was working on my Bachelor's of  Arts degree, my children were my motivation to go back to school. And even now they are very supportive of me obtaining my Master's in the future. My Mother is my rock, through out my life people have told me that I look and act like my Mother. Early in life I couldn't see it but as I've gotten older, I can see me so much in her. My mother has always been a strong woman, and a go getter. She taught my siblings and I how to be independent and never give up in what we believe in. Last but not least my baby Gracie. I've had Gracie since she was six weeks old. She is a Pit-Bull. Many people wouldn't dare want a pit-bull for a  pet; well neither did I, until she came into my life two years ago. I wouldn't change having her for nothing in the world. Until people realize that you can have the same relationship with a pit-bulls that you can have with any other dog than they want be sterotyped as much. It's all in how you raise them. Just and how we raise our children. Raise a child in a postive and healthy environment and more than likely they will grow-up into productive individuals and this stands the same with a dog.