My Connection to Play

Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game –Michael Jordan

This is the real secret of life- to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play. –Alan Wilson Watts

These quotes speak of my childhood. As a child, play was my life. It was what I did all day. It was fun and I enjoyed doing it. My siblings and I are very close in age. There are 4 years between the 3 of us. We were always playing with each other, making up games, playing board games, running around, and pretending. Our job was to play.

 Our parents encouraged play every day. I remember being outside for hours on end. Our parents played with us. They encouraged us to use our imagination. They provided us places inside and outside of the house to play. Our backyard was the place to play. All our neighborhood friends would always play in our yard. We didn’t need much to have fun. 
We would turn our yard into all kinds of adventures- oceans, doctor’s office, school, ice cream shop, stores, or a race track to name a few.  My sister and I would bring our cabbage patch dolls to join in the fun. Our dolls were our children, students, customers, robbers or princes. Whatever our heart desired at the moment.

Today’s play is much different than my own that I experience. I see less children playing outside. I see and hear more of children playing video games, watching television, or using some other electronic devices. Many of these electronic devices are learning centered. I see fewer children having the freedom to just play and enjoy.

The role of play in my childhood help shaped the person that I am today. As an adult, my career of education was found through playing with my dolls and pretending I had a classroom.  Play allowed me to learn how to work others, play fairly, treat others with respect, and how to handle stressful situations. I use all these skills in my daily life as an adult. Play is essential in shaping adults. We, as adults, must value and protect the act of playing for children. Play is critical to building successful adults. 

Relationship Reflection

"H

"Human relationships, and the effects of relationships on relationships, are the building blocks of healthy development" (Shonkoff & Phillips, 2000, p. 4).

Reflecting on this quote, I think about the relationships that have impacted my life and being.  My immediate family has truly shaped who I am.

My parents were childhood friends. They grew up in the same neighborhood, went to the same high school, and married after my mom graduated high school. My parents love for each other is so sickening (in a good way).  Growing up, my siblings hardly ever saw them fight. The relationship and marriage they have is what I knew I wanted for myself as adult.

It’s hard to put into words how I feel about my parents, as parents. They loved us like no other. We were well-loved children. They were always bragging about us to all. As a child, I just was embarrassed. As an adult, I appreciate that love and devotion.  

My parents were very hard-working people. Our needs were always taken care and even some of our wants. If we were in any school club/organization or wanted to participate in extra-curricular activities, they were there for us. They made it happen without thought.  Sometimes, my parents struggled to provide the wants, but I never realized realize how much they put our needs and wants before their own until I became an adult. I am thankful for their dedication to making sure we succeed in whatever we wanted to do in life.

Today, my relationship with my parents is very strong. I talk with my mom every evening after work.  My dad is not a talker, but he shows his love through jokes and the little things that he still do for me and my family. We all gather for dinner every weekend. I enjoy this time with them and love what we have together.

I am the oldest of three. My brother is 2 ½ years younger. My sister is 4 years younger than myself. We were very close growing up. Our house was loud with three little ones running around. As children, we had the normal sibling fights, but we would make up in minutes. We were close-knit and love playing together. As adults, we are still close. My brother and sister spoil my children. We talk to each other often and support each other when needed. We are there for one another no matter what.

My husband and I met in college. We met my freshman year and his sophomore year in college. He was one of the first men I dated in college.   We fell in love quickly. We went to different colleges about 45 minutes apart. Even with the distance, we found time together often.  We were always making mini-roadtrips to see other. We did have our ups and downs, but we always came back together.

After college, I moved back home. We continued to be together and only saw each other once month.  It was difficult but we grew closer.  We married three later. We have been married for 7 years now.  He is  truly the love of my life. We are so much alike that sometimes those are the things that drive me crazy about him. He is so loving, caring, and always looking to make me happy. This partnership is not easy, we work at it. We spend time with each other away from the kids and we talk about what is on our mind. We work on us because we value our commitment to each other.

        

          

Our children are our loves. They are 6 and 3.  We strive to be the best parents possible for them. We try to be firm and fair. We have lots of fun together. We try to have alone time or moments with each of them.  We strive to parents like the parents we have.

I want my children to know that they are loved. I want my children to know that they are cared for and loved like no other. I want them to realize how special and unique they are. I want them to dream big and become whatever they want to in life. 

As I reflect on these relationships in my life, I think about the impact it has on my professional relationships. As a early childhood educator, I realize that my life experiences influence how I treat others.  I want my colleagues to know that they are appreciated and wanted.  I want parents to feel that I respect and care about them and their children. I want children to know that they feel loved, wanted, and to know they are special.

Any type of relationship requires work. Especially, new relationships of colleagues, parents, and children require one to work on building a system of trust. My goal is to use the golden rule: treat others like I want to be treated.  My goal as educator is to treat all relationships with care, love, and respect.

Reference

Shonkoff, J. P., & Phillips, D. A. (2000). From neurons to neighborhoods: The science of early childhood. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.

Pursuing My Dream!!!

Hello All,

I recently decided to go to school again, after telling myself last summer that I will take a break.

I love learning and learning about what I do. I love working with young children. I am very passionate about what I do. I have been teaching since 2003. I have taught only kindergarten in these ten (almost eleven) years of my teaching career.  I was named  my school's teacher of the year in 2010. I have earned endorsements in reading and gifted education.  My bachelor's  degree is in Early Childhood Education (P-5). I have received my master's in  Reading and Literacy (P-5) and my Specialist in Teacher Leadership, both from Walden University. Last summer, I earned a graduate certificate in integrating technology in the classroom.

So, why did I decide to go back ? MY DREAM.  As long as I can remember, I wanted to teach. Entering college, I realize that my passion of teaching was more of a passion to change the profession. I wanted to make a difference not only in the children I touch but all children. My DREAM is to open and run a preparatory academy (hopefully many).  I want to really focus on early childhood education, preparing these students for formal education.

Recently, it's been on my heart to focus on me and this DREAM. It's like God is bringing people in my life to remind me of this passion. It's time to focus on the goal. I have to make steps to make this DREAM happen. I have to make a plan of action.When I found this certificate program, Early Childhood Administration, Management and Leadership, with Walden University, I decided to go for it.

I don't know what or where this program may led me in the process of my DREAM but I know that I have a purpose in life to help children learn. God willing, I believe that I am on my way to making my dream a reality. I believe this is my purpose in life.