My Connections to Play

“Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.” Kay Redfield Jamison

“Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.” O. Fred Donaldson

   

My mother was certainly an advocate for childhood play and she played a major role in my development with regards to play since I was her only child. She supported me in the area of play by establishing an environment where I could play freely and she offered me the tools necessary to play. In my childhood room, my mother and I would play dress up, have pretend tea parties, and line my stuff animal up so I could play school. I would read books to my mother and she would read books to me. We would play hide the block and she would tell me hot if I would close to finding the block or cold if I was nowhere near the block’s location. My cousins and other neighborhood children would often come to my house and play outdoors in my yard. Play during my childhood year occurred outside more than now. As a friend, I would play hopscotch, volley ball, bade mitten, jump rope, climb tree etc. I find that children in this day and age like to play computer games, video games, watch TV or movies. I find that children now are not as physically engaged in the various forms play activities in general. I am inspired when I see more children involved in little leagues and team like sports/ play activities. As a child play was very important to me especially as an only child. I was able to develop my social skills, and I truly enjoyed using my imagination as well. That is one of the areas of play I wish my son was able to enjoy. Since he has a developmental delay and speech delay he does not engage in pretend play as other children his age do. I find that this was most important for me developmental, because it allowed me to interpret how things were going on in my world in a fun, but meaningful way. 

Relationship Reflection

 

 My Pauls...

The relationship that I share with my husband and son are very significant and meaningful to me for many reasons.  There are many factors that have contributed to developing a positive relationship with my husband of 5 years and my son who is 3 years old.  My husband and I are very responsive to each others' needs in regards to being supportive of each others' careers, aspirations and responsibilities.  He is my best friend. He has proven himself to be a loving, God fearing man and faithful. The best part of our relationship is that we are able to grow together and learn from each other.  One of the initial challenges that my husband and I faced was our differences in parenting styles. It took my husband time to adjust to all the responsibility and care of an infant. It was important for us then to really keep the door of communication open at all times and be patient with each other. As a new mother being patient was difficult, but I managed to surprisingly, because I knew it was in the best interest of my son and husband. If you were to ask my husband what is his main goal in life he would tell you all he has ever desired is to be a great husband and father, (to this day I almost cry when I hear him say this).

My son, Paul, is my pride and joy. He is the reason why I initially sought out a career in the field of early childhood education. He at the age of 3 years old teaches me and refreshes my outlook of the field. My son inspires me, strengthens me, and offers me hope.  He is my biggest investment in life and I believe that he will yield a return so great that will with question encourage a real positive social change.  My son’s developmental delay and speech delay has founded my passion to be an advocate for children with special needs.  This unique characteristic that my son possess has enhances my perspective of the developing child and has broaden my desire to assist other children with special needs. 

My Mother and Grandmother...

 

The relationship that I have with my mother and grandmother are also very important. I truly believe that my mother and grandmother have maintained a relationship with me founded on love, respect, trust and God. The most enjoyable way I am able to maintain the relationship with my grandmother is spending the holidays with her and taking her to the beach, when she comes to visit me. Spending time with my grandmother, talking to her, going for walks with her are ways that we are able maintain our relationship. 

The relationship that I have with my mother is founded on love, trust, loyalty, respect, and kindness. My mother is a very influential person in my life and she was my first teacher and continues to teach. I believe that my mother is a significant contributor to my decision to serve int he field of early childhood education. Similarly my mother was a teacher and she taught children's church for many years. Being able to witness my mother in her role as a early childhood educator did spark my interest in field, although my decision to enter the field came at a latter time in my professional career. 

My Licensing Specialist...

The relationship and partnership that I have with my licensing specialist, Ms. Michelle, is only important to me personally it is crucial to my role as a license Family Child Care Provider. The relationship that I have with my licensing specialist is built on respect and trust. She offers me vital information about the various policies and regulations in regards to my home child care facility. I view the partnership that I have with my licensing specialist as special because she can relate to my professional role since she use to be a licensed Family Child Care Provider and she is always encouraging to succeed in my business and professional abilities.

 The Lower Shore Resources Center...

The local Lower Shore Child Care Resource Center is a very important partner with regards to its commitment to offer affordable and diverse child care trainings to local  Family Provider. The resource center is a great resource for me, as it aids in the developing of my weekly educational plans for the children in my care. I believe that the partnership what I have with the resource center is founded on the common interest of providing quality educational resources for early learners.

 My kiddos...

 The relationship with the children I have and their families are so very important to me as a early childhood educator and as a business owner. I value the relationship that I have with my parents and their children. The relationship that I have with my children and their families primary based on trust and respect. I care a great deal for my children who are often in my care between 8 to 10 hours a day. I am very appreciative of the good partnerships that exist between I and my parents. I find that the relationships that I have with my parents are very special and allow me to do things in my program at a higher success rate, ( i.e. field trips, career day, parent night out, etc.). I strongly believe that my parents and their children play a huge role in my ability to maximum my leadership skills and be able to manage a successful business. In order to maintain a great, healthy and appropriate relationship with my children and their families it is so very vital to maintain the lines of communication and respect. A challenge that I have learned overtime with my parents is establishing boundaries. Many of my parents are also friends or good acquaintance or want me to be their friend because I care for their child. I firm a believer of having set boundaries and I find that it is easier to explain to parents that although we are friends and their relationship is important to me, I obligate to be professional and act professional at all times and I required to respond to certain issues/situation professionally and in a business like manner.