Preschool and Beyond: November 2011

Friday, November 25, 2011

My Connections to Play

Here are two quotes regarding play.

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

"Play keeps us vital and alive. It gives us an enthusiam for life that is irreplaceable. Without it, life just doesn't tast good." Lucia Capocchione

As a child, my play was encouraged by the adult individuals in my life. Unlike today, I was given ample time to run play, laugh, and explore with my siblings, cousins, friends, and classmates. Digging mud holes whether it be at home or at school, turned into a real life science lesson as we uncovered worms that were nestled deep in the soft dark soil. Discoveries such as this one were furthered as adults asked and answered any questions we may have had. My parents encouraged us to play outside and create games to be played with my siblings and cousins. Boy, them were the days.

Play was such a delight, but that has since gon away and the children of today are deprived of such experiences. The children of today are missing out on what it means to play. With the growing technology industry, our children grow more and more fascinated with playing with the latest techno gadget or video game. Even in our schools, play is coming invisible, as children and teachers conform to the growing pressures of meeting standards and academic requirments.

When it comes to my life play has been an intricate part of it. I learned many skills as I engaged in play with my older cousins and classmates, making up games and rules helped me to problem solve and control myself enough to play with others. Even as an adult, I work hard and I play hard. After a busy week of work, I like to relax and enjoy some playtime with my children, family, and friends. This helps to clear my mind and alleviate some of the pressures of being a mommy, sister, friends, and colleague. Play is essential and we all need it.

The pictures included would be essential play items for me, because they would allow me to transform to whoever I wanted to be as I played.

Running on the playground was so much fun!

Friends were an essential part of my play

I learned a lot of skills by playing in the house area.

Relationships

I currently have healthy relationships with my two sisters, my brother, my sons, my daughter, my father, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and colleagues. These relationships are healthy because we first take the time to acknowledge each other as individuals, keeping in mind that we come with our own beliefs, needs, desires, goals, and morals. Respecting each other and working through issues, help us to maintain open lines of communications. As we all know that no relationship is perfect, but being committed to forming strong relationships, can help everyone learn to be better people.

Personal Advocacy Reflection

I cannot pinpoint just one individual to talk about as it relates to advocacy and its effect on my life. There have been a number of people who have advocated and shared important information with me. So to name just one person would not be fair, because they all have impacted me greatly. All through-out my journey to pursue my higher learning education. These individuals have been very positive in sharing information as it relates to school and other opportunities. Because they were so supportive, I was able to pursue three separate degrees consecutively. They were also compassionate and encouraging as I raised my children as a young single mother. Through the sharing of vital information, I excelled higher and to greater places in my life. As a result of their kindness, I am paying it forward by sharing information and resources with others that may be looking to pursue a better life. I always find myself encouraging young mothers to do their best as mothers and to pursue more education in an effort to be a better provider for their young family. I pick up informative brochures and flyers that I come across when I'm out in the district for my job. I share those flyers and brochures with those young mothers and anyone else who's interested. I just believe that we must not be afraid to reach out to lending a helping hand, not a hand-out.

Relationship Reflection

As a mother of three, a sister, a daughter, a friend, and an employee, building and being apart of strong lasting relationships is very important to me. It is important to me, because it allows me to be accepted by my peers. It allows me to contribute to the lives of others in a positive way. It also allows me the grand opportunity to learn from the individuals I have relationships with. Learning how to give, receive, value the opinions of others, and agreeing to disagree are all some of the things I learn as I interact with my sisters, brothers, friends, children, and co-workers. Being able to see the world from the point of view of others is an awesome thing, because they can point out very important points, when our selfishness tend to rear it's head. Healthy relationships allow us to bear our feelings to others, our weaknesses revealed, enabling us to be strong by the strength and helping hands of others.

Friday, November 25, 2011

My Connections to Play

About Me