My Connection To Play

“Play is the only way the highest intelligence of humankind can unfold.” ~ Joseph Chilton Pearce (author)

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

“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)

“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)

http://www.childsplaymagazine.com/Quotes/index.htm


Some of the things that represent my childhood play

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Growing up we were always playing outside.  There was a tree in our yard that we were always climbing and playing in.  It wasn't big enough to build a real tree fort in, but we still made it our tree fort either way.



We spent a great deal of time out in the woods.  My grandparents lived right along the woods line.  We would go and explore all the time.  As a family we took may trips out to the woods, spent time camping, hunting, and fishing.  I am a full blooded outdoor girl and love it!



My favorite toys were my pound puppies, Cabbage Patch Kid  and my barbies.


My parents were always encouraging us to go outside and play.  We were kicked out of the house all the time to go play.  We had a neighborhood full of children so there was always someone to play with.  We had a small town in a great wilderness area so there was a great deal of play opportunities   I have an older brother who I played with a lot.  My at my grandparents house they had a great deal of toys and things to play with.  My mom was also very good about playing with us all the time.  I remember many days of playing barbies with her.  My brother on the other hand  G.I. Joe seemed to always be on the attack of Barbie.  I don't know how that girl ever lived.

I definitely think that play has changed over time.  With technology we have have seen a decrease in active play in children.  I see it in my three year old.  She loves playing on my phone and computer.  However she would still rather play outside on her swing set   We go out as much as we can.  It is hard to get them outside as much as I would like because we don't have a fence and when there is so much to do around the house and to get dinner done, its hard to find the time.  I do not think children are encouraged as much to play as they were in the past.  Family schedules are busy and its easier to turn on the TV or give a child a phone while the parents are taking care of what they need to do.  I do think play has changed that there has been a shift in the gender stereotyping of play.  Boys are now not driven away from playing with dolls, girls are playing with the boys with trucks, and other genderized toys.

I played a great deal as a child.  I still continue to play as an adult.  My husband and I are adventurous.  We like to camp, take out our ATV's, hike, and anything else in the great outdoors.  We like theme parks, going to the regular park, zoo, museums, and having fun.  We play frequently   Now that we have children  play is a huge part of our life.  I have tea parties and play dress up with my daughter.  We color, paint, and do arts and crafts all the time.  I dance and sing with both of my children   My son is now getting into playing with others so we are including him in our games and adventures.  I do not think that I will ever loose the drive to play.  I am ready for the children to be old enough to take them to the theme parks as they both are fearless. Soon we can take them hiking more than just the local parks, they already love to go camping, and would love to get them a mini ATV when they are big enough.  I think play will always be a large part of our lives.

Relationship Reflection

Relationships are a critical part of life.  We build various types of them throughout our life.  Some come and go, while others are lifelong.  My closest relationships I have are with my husband and my children. They are the love of my life.  I have been with my husband for ten years (wow that's the first I just realized that) and have been married five as of two weeks ago.  I cannot imagine my life without him.  He is my world, my best friend, and makes me laugh like nobody ever has.  I still get butterflies in my stomach every time I see him walk into a room.   My children are the reason I live.  They are my special miracles that I would not trade the world for. 

I also have very close ones with both my parents and my brother and his wife.  These are the relationships that are lifelong.  I have a great deal of family, some I am close with, others more acquaintance at the local family wedding or graduation, as well as most of my family as Facebook friends.I have a super close relationship with my mom, she is one of my best friends.  She is my rock when I need her, and has always been loving and supportive.  We talk or text at least once a day and that's a low number.  

  I have a handful of very close friends that I can count on one hand that have lasted through the years. Four specifically.  One I have known since kindergarten, and the rest since junior high.  Three of them I consider my best friends.To keep these relationships continuing it takes effort on both parts.  Thankfully with technology today it is much easier than it was 20 years ago when we all live around the country.  With computers and text messages it allows us to post comments on the Facebook page or send a text message at our convince.  Frequently it will be a specific show or song that I see or hear that reminds me of them and makes me smile.  So then I just text them a "Hi, How are ya?" message.  We go through periods of time that we may not talk for six months or longer, but then out of the blue one calls the other and its like we saw each other yesterday.  We can laugh, smile, joke, hang out, and do all kinds of things together and it just has a quaint cozy feel to it, no matter what we are engaged in.  

My small group of close friends, I know will be there for me when ever I need them.  I can call them with any issues I have and they will always be there.  The same goes right back.  They can come to me with anything and I will always be here to help them.  We have become more like sisters and I consider them my family than we are friends.  I don't think family should have to mean blood related as they are more involved in my life than some of my family.  

I have learned from relationships in the past that there are a lot of people that want to take from a relationship and not want to give nearly as much in the relationship.  Many of them come off to be one sided even when its been ongoing for a while, it may just come to realization.  Both sides have to be vested equally into the relationship and not just when its convenient.  I had one specifically that I just stopped putting the effort in and then a year later she called and asked what happened.  So I told her, she was never there when I needed her and everything was always about her.  She was a friend for convince and that's not what I was looking for.  I haven't heard from her since.  I can honestly say I don't miss her.  

I think my relationships I have and in my life will help me with my professional relationships as I know how to maintain professional boundaries.  I understand that when I have new staff, as I am going to in the spring when I open my center, that good working relationships are not automatic.  I have a crazy smart mouth that can get taken the wrong way.  I am not prim and proper, but I know when to be professional when I need to be.  I know that relationships take work and effort from both sides.