Saturday, January 30, 2016

My Connections to Play


 
To me, play sometimes served as my getaway. From a long day of school and coming home completing my homework, it was a relief to be able to go outside on a nice sunny day and play. Whether riding my bike, playing hopscotch and jump rope or simply playing freeze tag and kick ball with the other children in my neighborhood, I always found joy in play.
 
 
Although I had many play items as a child, these three were some of my favorites. The Poly Pocket, which was a miniature dollhouse that came in a compact case, a Tamagotchi and an Easy Bake Oven. All three of these items were beneficial in my play because they taught me how to maintain and care for people and things and also gave me an idea on how to bake foods which I could carry on into my adulthood.
 
 
 
 
My mother was my biggest supporter of play when I was younger because she knew how much I enjoyed it. My mother supplied me with play items that sparked my interest and hardly ever complained about it and took me to parks on Saturdays and watched me play. Knowing how much I loved to swim, my mother would also take me to the pool with my friends and we would really enjoy ourselves. I appreciate the fact that I was fortunate enough to have a parent that actually supported and allowed me to play.
 
Play today is not as good as it used to be when I was a child. Technology is taking over the minds of young children with the making of these new gadgets such as iPhones, iPods and iPads. I think that these items are ok for children to have, but the consumption of time children spend using these items is a little too much that necessary. Most children now would rather spend more time on these gadgets instead of going out to play, ride a bike or other developmental ways of play, which is not very healthy and is causing children to be more withdrawn. The fact that play is almost close to becoming extinct in schools is making this situation worse.
When I was a child, we were forced to go outside and play with our friends when it was convenient and safe because our parents knew how important it was. Using our imagination and role playing came easy for us. Now, some parents would rather their children stay in the home and play with the electronic devices they have in the home, just to keep them out of their hair. I just hope that Children are guided back to the old-school way of play and receive the actual long-term benefits of it. WE NEED PLAY!
 
 
 
 


Friday, January 15, 2016

RELATIONSHIP REFLECTION

Relationships/partnerships are important to me because it is the bridge that helps link together two or more individuals who may share the same interests or aspiring to reach similar goals. Developing a relationship or partnership with another individual can also help to understand the other person and build a bond that has the ability to last a lifetime. There are people in my life whom I have relationships with in different ways and they are all very special and important to me.




Pictured here, is a photo of my fiancé and I. we have been together four years. Along with our relationship, we share a partnership as active parents in the life of our one year old son. From the moment we began dating, we share many interest and had similar goals in life, which led to our lasting relationship. Although there are times where we may disagree with one another and the tedious times that come with working, going to school and raising a toddler, we always remember the reason we got together in the beginning and always find alternatives to help solve our differences to benefit the both of us <3











Here is a photo of my best friend & I. We have been friends for ten years now. My best friend & I met in 2005 during our freshman year at Mississippi Valley State University & have been friends every since. The relationship that my best friend and I share is founded on the friendship we have and we support each other as much as possible. Always have and always will. During our undergraduate years in college, my best friend & I were very close because we had so much in common. Even now with our own children, busy schedules, responsibilities & 45 mile distance, we always contact one another, make visits & make sure that one another are doing okay. Having a friend like her is a very positive aspect of my life with the fact of knowing that I have someone that has my back & I can call a true friend.



Lastly, here is a photo of my son and I, his name is Khalil. I share a relationship/partnership with him because I am his parent and he is my child. My job is to see that Khalil is well taken care of with food, clothing, shelter and many other necessities. It is also my job to develop a secure attachment with Khalil, so that he can always feel comfortable, safe and loved be me. Although his father plays the same role as well as I. it is good that Khalil has relationships with both parents. I actually love the bond that I have with my Son. concerning myself with his well-being, makes my life worth living even more. 


My experience with relationships and partnerships can impact my work as an effective early childhood professional due to the fact that I have gained the ability to build relationships with individuals in many ways whether they are children or family members of children. I am able to provide moral support, lend encouraging words and respect decisions of others. I may even be able to help an individual consider a decision to make a better impact on their lives. having positive relationships with people promotes positive effects.