My Connection to Play

What does the word play means for early childhood? Play involves a free choice activity that is non-literal, self-motivated, enjoyable and process oriented. (Wardie,1987). When I was a young child I played with dolls, dishes, and games these items I learned by watching my family in what was done around me. I played with dolls because I like taking care of the dolls and made them look pretty with the different clothes I had to dress them with. I like combing their hair in different styles how my mother or other people that comb my hair.  With the dishes I wanted to imagine that I had to cook food for my dolls so they could eat and I needed the dishes to put the food on. Then when the dolls were threw I wash the dishes and put them up for the next time. My games I played with my family and friends and I learned from watching them play with each other and myself. I started beating my family and friends in the games that made me feel proud of me and it gave me confident in myself. 

I believe that play is the same in certain situations when I was coming up play teaches a child to learn things on their own by imagination, seeing others do something that might impress the child. Play shows children how to share with each other and be kind to each other. It teaches social skills on how to communicate with each other and learning how to play and use the toys and different ways. Some children might think now that it is not right for them to share their toys with anyone only they can play. But this is when the parents and teachers can teach the children that it is okay to share with friends and this is how they can be nice to their friends. Explain to the child how they can be nice and give the children an example or how they can share and not fight with their friends or family about their toys.

              

My thought regarding the role of play have taught me through my childhood to now that it help me to develop my motor skills, social play by interacting with family and friends and learning how to cooperate and share with others. Be able to use my vocabulary skills in a way I could express myself where I could be understandable. Play taught me how to be kind to others as I do now in my life time. Some children are not taught how to be kind the child thinks it is okay to fight, kick, bite or using profanity to get what he or she wants.  When I was coming up parents taught their children how to play with other children, how to share, don not fight your friends because when you get older you would not have many friends and I listen to what was told to me.  I have seen children at the age of four using profanity at the school with the classmate because the child got upset with another student.  By me being a teacher I said it was my responsibility to stop and let the child know that the language he was using could not be use in the school I took time to explain why the language he was using could not be use to the child and he understood and apologize to the student.

Play also works as an adult because you can remember when to play and when not to play.  Play for an adult is a stress breaker it helps you to be socialization with other people you meet.  You can be concern about other feelings when playing with other adults some might take it personal when you do not mean for it to go that way that is when the problem solving comes in so it can be a positive situation and not a negative situation.  But by looking at children you can learn from them in how they solve their problems and they are back friends and playing. With some adults it does not work like that some do not want to work out their problems and it goes on until someone step in to be the mediator to bring them back together.

Relationship Reflection

Relationship with families, friends, teachers and community is very important to me  it help the child to develop a positive attitude in a good atmosphere.  In my life I have several people who are very important to me that help me through my life's of ups and down who gave me a positive way to think and never had a negative communication with them.

The first one I would like to talk about is my godmother who I call mom who has been there to support me in whatever I did in my life that was positive. She gave me advice about my lifestyle and how to care about myself on how to be the best woman I could be.  My godmother shown me love, she gave me hugs when I needed them. She treated me as if I was her real daughter even though she has a daughter she did not treat me any different. I did not know how to say I love you because my mother did not tell me or my sibling that she loved us. My godmother would tell me every day that she love me by her telling me and showing me that she did I started tell her back that I love her and I felt it when I hug my godmother. I can always talk to her no matter what she was doing she always have a listening ear. We have spent time together, we have went out of town together, and whenever she needed me I have been there to help her. The attachment is still working in my life today and I do not think I would have been what I am today without my godmother and God.

The next person I would like to talk about is my godsister Michelle, a wonderful person to be with she has been in my life for over thirty years.  We have been there for each other through our struggles in life. Our children has growing up together and spending time together. My godsister have been a sister to me more than my own sister have. She has let me stay with her and help take care of her children for her when she had to work.  When I needed her she was there to care, support me, give me advice on situation in my life.  She share her mother with me who is my godmother. She shown me that she care when I felt no one care about me she could have said no you can not stay with me, no I do not want you around but she did not. She treated me like a sister. We always had a good communication even when we got upset with each other we was always there for each other. After spending time with my godsister she shown me how to care for people even when they do you wrong do not put yourself first think about the other person when I did not want too. I appreciate her for being that sister that I needed her to be. My sister is disable and could not do what I needed a sister to do and be. My sister could not drive, she could not go out to places unless she had help and I could not do it because she was paralyze on one side. At that point in my life I needed a sister who understood me, who would take time out to spend with me, and tell me what I needed to know as a young adult. I did not need anyone to be negative in my life at that time in my life it was a struggle for me being a teenager and not getting the support I needed as a teenager. There were  no love from family members and my godsister was there to fill that whole in my life and she is still there for me today. She was the only one out of my family that could come to my graduation for my Bachelor Degree from college and I was proud to have her there with me along with her children and grandchildren. She is special to me and I love her for who she is in my life.

The last people I would like to talk about is my Pastor, and  Fist Lady, at my church these two people are wonderful people of God. My pastor have shown me love and support, he has taught me they way of living right. He has taught me how a christian should live for God and not for people. This man remind me of my father who was also a pastor he care for people and their lives. He would tell you the truth no matter what people feel about him he is going to tell you what the Word of God said. He loves children and people I think children are very special to him.  I have watch him when he is around children how is face lights up with a smile. He give out greetings and hugs and you can feel the love from him.  I am grateful to have him as a pastor he helps who he can and do not complain about it and do not look for anything in return.  My First lady this woman is someone that has been an encourager to me she is always positive and let me know I can be what I want to be if I put my mind to it and pray and ask God to direct you in the right way. She was a praying person whenever you talk to her she is praying for God to give her the right words to say.  She was a woman that care about people and children. She did not have no respect of person she did not care what color or culture you were she care and love the person for who they were.  She taught me to love people also regardless on how they treat me because God will reward me for my love and kindness toward people. She told me to show kindness toward people because the Lord said that you love one another as I have love you. My First Lady always gave hugs to everyone and mints at the door when dismissal was at church she greeting everyone with a smile, hug and a kiss on both checks. She has now pass away but her time she spent with me will be cherish in my heart. She always told us in church to raise our hand and she would say your are special and if you did not raise your hand she would still say your are special she would be miss.