"My Connections to Play"

                                       As a child I often wanted to go outside and play with my friends and my sisters. My mother was very adamant about us running around and be children.  At times we did not want to go out and play but she pushed us to be active. As I have gotten older I realized that play is not what it was when I was growing up and that saddens to me some degree. In this field we see things that blow us away and watching what today child’s consider “play” is totally different. When I was younger we were content with going outside and running around, playing hide and go seek, and jump rope, and today that is a whole new ball game. I have seen that children today do not like to be active and in part I blame all the advances in technology. I hope that one day we are able to get back to the basics and keep the spirit of play alive and well in the many years to come.

“Play is our brain's favorite way of learning.”

----Diane Ackerman                

“The true object of all human life is play.”

----G. K. Chesterton

         

    Relationship Reflection

 

Relationships are important to me, because I have built lasting relationships with friends and family over the years. As a child I wanted everyone to like me, but as I got older I learned that having just anybody in your life was a negative thing. I soon realized that I wanted to surround myself with loving and caring people in my life and have those relationships last. Family is very important to me and the family members I am closest to are my younger sisters.  My sisters are my best friends and my confidants, and just being around them puts a smile upon my face.

                I must admit that our relationship was not always the best, but over the years we learned to appreciate it other and respect each other more and more. We learned through trial and error that communication was key and was the foundation for a lasting relationship.  I remember once that my sisters and I, got into a  huge fight and our mother was so upset with us, and all we kept hearing her say was, “Why my girls, oh why?”. It was in that moment when I realized that all she wanted for us, was to act like young ladies and love each other.  I believe that strong partnerships and relationships rely heavily on effective communication, also total honesty, and also consideration. It is very important for us as humans to respect each other’s views and values and be empathetic to one’s feelings. As an educator each and every day I am adding and building on a firmer foundation with my students and his or her family. I believe it is very important for me to interact with the family to gain their trust and build up a rapport that would benefit the students and their family.