My Connections to Play...

 

I chose the above two quotes to represent my childhood as it relates to play. If we're being honest, there is much of my childhood that I do not remember. So I'm not certain that they quotes truly reflect anything from my childhood, but knowing my family and my passion now, I feel like like these relate very well. And are very accurate to my ideas and focus now as an educator and a parent as it related to the importance of play for children. 

When I was younger I remember my love for dance, babies, and our pool. When I was younger, I loved to play with baby dolls and spend my time taking care of them. As I got older, I'd spend hours dressing up in old dance costumes and putting on "shows" for family and friends. Lastly, my family spent most of the summer in our backyard in our pool having family and friends over for BBQs. Most of my memories of my childhood play come from this. 

When I was younger my older sister definitely supported play with me. She is seven years older, and always ran around after me like a little mom trying to take care of me and make sure I was happy. She would play with me, pretend to "teach" me as we played teacher, and always took me on adventures (usually in our backyard!). She was a born teacher, so she really encouraged me to learn and explore and also showed me how to in many ways. Reflecting back on my childhood vs. childhood now there are some things that I think are really different. Technology wasn't what it is today, and even the tv and movies we're readily available to me at any time. We had to be creative, use our imagination, and get hands on with playing. Even living in Michigan where it's cold (way too often) from what I remember, the majority of my childhood memories were being outside playing. Today, kids sit and play video games, or watch movies/youtube, computers/tablets, etc. They aren't getting up and doing, exploring, or being outside and that is honestly really sad to think about. There are some things that similar, kids love to play with cars, trucks, kitchen, babies, etc... at least my kids do. But I have to be super intentional in getting them to engage in those activities and not the just tech stuff that sucks them in like zombies. When I think about the children in my programs but more specifically my own children, I want my passion and excitement for the great outdoors to be passed onto them. There is no greater feeling that getting your hands or feet in the grass or sand, and exploring nature, and feeling the sun and wind on your face. 

Relationship Reflection...

Healthy and loving relationships are essential for everyone. Loving relationships with others are what help you grow, what challenge you daily, what offers you support when you need it, and what offers love and affection and emotional health. I am blessed to have many loving and supportive people in my life who support me and offer me so much encouragement and love. I am going to share with you (in no specific order) the people in my life that make my life rich, full of love, and support- well most the time anyways!

My Sister- She is my rock and my best friend. She is 7 years older than I am, so growing up she always had my back and took care of me like a little mother. As we've grown up, she's become my best friend and greatest supporter. There isn't anything I can't tell her, that she won't help me through. 

My Parents- They are the most selfless people I have ever met. They will give you the shirts of their back, if they see the need. They have always been there for me, to help and support me, sometimes even when I'm too stubborn to ask for it. As a parent myself, I hope that someday my children look at me with the same admiration as I have for them. They have always taught us that family (and friends) mean everything and should be treasured above all else. 

My Husband- He is my soulmate. He is so hardworking and is always working on small projects to improve our house and lives. He has taught me that marriage is hard, but so worth it. I've also learned the importance of honest and real communication and how it's the foundation of a healthy relationship. 

My Sweet Babies- These two are my everything. They are the reason I get out of bed many mornings, they are the reason i've been working to get healthy and active, they are the sunshine of my days. Motherhood is the best part of my life, even on the days when it is tough and tiring, it is SO worth it, and my biggest blessing. 

Extended family and Friends- My extended family is very close. I have many cousins, aunts, uncles, etc who are an active part of my life to offer me love, support, and help whenever needed. I also have a great group of friends. They enrich my life. They encourage me when I need it and offer laughs whenever possible. Being a mom of young children can be very busy at times and "me time" can be hard to get often, so my core group of friends who also have young children are a god send. They get it. We can vent, cry, laugh, and know that we're in a safe supportive space with no judgement only care and support, and that means more than words can express. 

Relationships as it relates to early childhood education... I think it's crucial that we understand the importance and value that healthy, loving, secure, and supportive relationships bring into people lives. These relationships will affect the development of a child, both positively but also negatively. We have to know that, and help parents to foster healthy relationships. Also, we need to work to establish these relationships with both the children that we teach, but also the parents as well. This has to be our mission, our focus, and our intention in all that we do! 

When I Think About Child Development...

 A few quotes come to mind when I think about Early Childhood Development as a whole.

These two quotes really speak to me about children. The first one, inspires me to be the best educator (and parent) possible to the children in my life. The world is a tough place, especially recently it seems, and our children bring so much hope for our future. We have to instill in them kindness, acceptance, and love. We have to be intentional to share good character traits with them, so that they can develop into kind and loving people who will change the world for the better! The second quote inspires me when I look into the eyes of children in my life. They see the world with so much wonder and hope, something we don't often see with our experience and age. I never want children to lose that wonder, so we need to encourage and cultivate their excitement and wonder as much as possible for as long as possible! Children offer the world so many things, and sadly, so many children are striped of that ability by the adults around them far too soon. I am passionate that we value, love, and respect children and all that they bring to the world so that they know that whatever they want to do in life, and whatever they want to be, is reachable! Every child needs a loving adult to be cheering them on, I want to be that person in as many children's lives as possible. 

Thank you classmates for a great 8 weeks. I appreciate your thoughts, ideas, and support and am encouraged by your excitement and passion for children and this field. Best of luck to you all!