My Connections to Play

My Connections with Play

Quotes about Play-
 

“The most effective kind of education is that a child should play amongst lovely things.” ~ Plato (Greek philosopher)

“Play builds the kind of free-and-easy, try-it-out, do-it-yourself character that our future needs.” ~ James L. Hymes Jr. (child development specialist, author)

“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning…They have to play with what they know to be true in order to find out more, and then they can use what they learn in new forms of play.” ~ Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood)

Here are a few pictures demonstrating young children in play

Throughout my life, I can't remember a time where any of my teachers or parents did not support play when I was younger. As far as I can remember my teachers always set aside time for us to grow and just be kids. These are the times I remember the most from preschool and elementary school. I was at a really fun preschool, where they taught us the basics as well as alot of life activities such as swimming, playing sports, and hide and seek.  It was the YMCA program, in NY. My parents also supported me in every sport that I played in. I have played softball, volleyball and basketball. But I can remember when I was just a young kid where I played softball with my father pitch and catch. He has made life playful in a sense because I can remember always having fun, learning and striving to do my best at an early age.

Play is very different today from what what it was when I was a child. Yes, we had nintendo and other electronics, but we always were playing together with toys and going outside to make snowman or snowangels or even just sitting playing with blocks with one another. Now children at a very young age are engaged in this electronic world of IPADS, IPODS, and XBOX. Children even at the age of 4 and 5 are playing inside on these things rather than playing outside in the sandbox. For example, I own a diner and while they were waiting for their food, they were playing a racing game on their IPAD, they never ask for the stack of coloring books that I have under the counter. Just strange how some families occupy their young children. I really hope as an advocate and professional that I can encourage children to get out there more and more and learn and experience with other children their age. Even as an adult I still am playing in a softball and volleyball league. This was my type of play when I was a young child and it is to this day. It has made me who I am as an individual, athlete, coach, and young professional.

 

 

Relationship Reflection

"Human relationships, and the effects of relationships on relationships, are the building blocks of healthy development" (Shonkoff & Phillips, 2000, p. 4).
This week we researched and took a look at why relationships are so important in life. Throughout my life I have had many relationships with people who come and go. I’m sure everyone has. Whether it’s growing apart, having difference or just having a busy life; people tend to lose some relationships. It’s those who stay and continue to build on these relationships that make the major impact on our lives. When I think of my current relationships, there are many I can choose from. I am very grateful for these relationships; they mean the world to me.



My brother Brandon, Dad, Mom, Me, Mark, my brother Kevin and Benjamin

First the most important two people in my life are my Mom and Dad. They have made the most impact on my life. They are the reason I am who I am. They have made me into a hardworking, trustworthy individual because of the people they are and what they provide is a positive healthy relationship. The factor that they contribute to our relationship is support, love, encouragement, and discipline. They have taught me what is right and wrong and without them I would not be as strong and confident like I am. Some challenges that may be hard to maintain with my parents is at times we would not agree and it would make it hard to communicate with one another. This happens with every relationship though. We aren’t always going to agree, it’s how we overcome the situation and this makes our relationship even stronger. What makes my relationship special with my parents is we know what’s expected out of both ends. We stay true to one another and always have each other’s back. No one has made a difference like these two and I am very grateful to have them as parents.



This is my husband Mark. Mark and I have been married for almost three years and together for over 6 years. Mark has a major role in my life and is very supportive. To maintain a healthy relationship we have good communication and trust one another. We have learned when we need some space and when we need comfort. We learn everyday something new about each other and that’s what makes our relationship grow each day. Also, our experiences with one another makes our love grow and it becomes stronger every day. Without him, I don’t know what I would do. I wouldn’t be the woman I am today. Mark supports everything I do. Whether it’s doing 4 hours of homework a night or having a four hour softball practice, he understands what I want and need to do to be happy and successful in life. There are always challenges in marriage and being with someone. Without these, we wouldn’t be as strong as we are. If we didn’t communicate our feelings, it would be hard to maintain a strong positive relationship. We both contribute to the relationship equally. Mark is so special to me and without him my life would be very different. I am grateful to have such a great husband.







My three brothers-
The relationships I have with my three brothers are very different but equally significant. They play major roles in my life and without them I could not imagine my life the way it is. Brandon is the oldest of us all. Brandon and I have the same mother and father. We have been through it all together. Our parents split when we were young, but are good friends today. Brandon and I have each other’s back. We can communicate to each other about anything. He is the first person I go to if I can’t go to my mom or dad. We both have been taught the same rules about life and out of all three of my brothers he is the most supportive. He would be there in a drop of a hat if I needed anything and the same goes to him. We equally contribute to our relationship with one another. I look up to him and I believe he looks up to me even if he doesn’t admit it. He was and is the most protective person over me. Our relationship stays positive because we shake off whatever bad happens. We don’t hold grudges. We know by the next day if we fight that we will act like nothing happened. He is my brother, there will always be arguments. Kevin and Benjamin are the youngest. Benny is 13 and Kevin is 20. We all have the same father but different mothers. These two boys also mean the world to me. We are very close family and we all put work into our relay ships to maintain and keep them strong. The differences in ages I believe have made a major impact our relationship and our development. We are all very protective of one another. With Benjamin, when he was born. I was 14 years old. I played a mother figure to him and always took care of him whether it was feeding, changing or even waking up in the middle of the night on the weekends to take care of him. He still is the baby. Our relationships are very strong, but if it wasn’t for our father they wouldn’t have been so strong. He has taught us that family is the most important thing in life ad we always need to have each other’s back. To this day, I don’t think any of us never once didn’t have each other’s back and support from one another. And if we didn’t support it, we would be open and state it. My brothers are all unique, but always will hold a special place in my life and heart.
Lastly I want to talk about my kids/athletes that I coach. It’s not just a certain kid, but it’s every kid that I get to coach. I have been a coach for over four years now and it’s one of the most important things in my life. These relationships that I develop with these kids are so significant not only for myself, but for them. They learn to trust me and see I am there to make them a better athlete and person. I always say to each group I come across that I am their coach first, their friend second. They see what is expected and begin to contribute and put in the work the same way I do. I believe it’s so important for these girls to feel comfortable and tryst me as a coach. There are challenges that come during the season that may play a factor in the relationship I have with them. Such as not showing up to practice or not putting in 100 percent at practice. These relationships are partnerships and if we all put in the same effort and trust one another we will be successful with our relationship and winning games. X
My experiences with these relationships that I have in my life impact my work as an effective early childhood professional. I have become hardworking, trustworthy, supportive and outgoing. These factors play a key role in the success into being a professional. I believe all my relationships are unique and in some way have made me the advocate and educator I am. Without these relay shows I would not have the drive and education I need to be an effective professional. And for them I am grateful.

Favorite quotes about and for children

Here are some of my favorite quotes about and for children. I hope you all enjoy them like I do!