My Connections to Play

Creative play is like a spring that bubbles up from deep within a child.

Joan Almon
Contemporary American educator

Play is our brain's favorite way of learning.

Diane Ackerman
Contemporary American author

http://www.thestrong.org/about-play/play-quotes

http://thatsamorelikeit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Children-Playing.jpg

The people in my life supported play when I was younger by allowing me to explore the world around me.  I was able to venture out into the forest and discover all the wonders surrounding me.  My family would take me to the creek or water and we would spend hours playing, exploring, and discovering. 

I feel that play today is different from the play in which I engaged in as a child.  I loved playing outside, building forts in the woods, digging clay out of the side of the hill, climbing trees, digging for snails, swimming, catching crayfish and fireflies.  Children today would much rather stay inside and play video games because it's too hot outside.  Playing outside is important for children.  They have so much to learn from exploring the world around them. 

Relationship Reflection

Stepping Stones Museum at Susquehanna State Park in Maryland    

Relationships are important to me because they needed for healthy growth and development. My relationships with my family, friends, and students are important to me. I want to provide my family, friends, and students with someone that they can trust and rely on. Positive and meaningful relationships promote all domains of development. I believe it is significant to have a source of security.

Having positive relationships with my family, friends, colleagues, and students contributes to the development. To have a positive relationship... we communicate with one another... we listen to one another...we share...we compromise...we negotiate...we are respectful...we are truthful...we are considerate...we are not aggressive....we are not negative....

Challenges are a part of having relationships.  My relationships are based on being truthful.  I have discussions with my children and students on the importance of being honest frequently.  Teaching young children how to be respectful, cooperative, responsible will benefit their future relationships. 

My experiences with my relationships and partnerships allow me to have the ability to be an active, reflective, and effectively impact my work as an early childhood professional.  I am a member of the School Improvement Team and the Parent Teacher Association.  I work with other professionals, including administrators, teachers, school counselor, instructional facilitator, and families to provide children with the most effective and efficient environment for their growth and development.