My Connections to Play

Life must be lived as play.

Plato
Greek philosopher
427–347 BC

In our play we reveal what kind of people we are.

Ovid
Roman poet
43 BC–17 or 18 AD

Almost all creativity involves purposeful play.

Abraham Maslow
American psychologist
1908–1970

These three quotes embody what I believe play was for me during early childhood. I lived by playing and exploring the world around me.  I can remember playing with friends at home and at school. Below are the pictures of the toys that I remembered playing with the most; I played house being a mother to the dolls 

playing on the jungle gym at Andy's(childcare center), 

and playing teacher with friends.

I spent many days at Andy's and I can remember how she did activities with us and how I had friends at school that I would play with.  I remember my mom would always let my friend Sharonda come and play at the house and even spend the night most of the time. Play was how I interacted with those of importance to me in my younger years.  I can always remembering playing house as a child,only to become a early childhood professional.

Play was was an essential part of what I did as a child.  As I watch children play and interact in the classroom I see them taking on roles through pretend play, interacting with one another, and settling differences. Play is nit just play, it is how children learn, how they express their feelings and even express themselves.  Everything we learn as a child through play we assimilate into our lives and last with us even into adulthood.  Those same interactions we learned from as a child can impact how we socialize with other adults. Play provides life lessons.

Relationship Reflection

Relationships with people of importance in my life are my family, friends, and sorority sisters.  My family lives about 3 hours from me. I talk to my mother almost every day, and though I do not talk with my father as much he is always there for me when I need him.  From childhood to now my relationship with them has changed I have become closer to them and can talk with them in  a way that I never could before. I have few friends in my life. I believe people come and go for a reason, but I have one friend who has been in my life since middle school.  Though we do not see each other often or talk to each other everyday when we do its like we never missed a day in each other lives.  My sorority sisters have become my family. We lean and depend on each other just like my birth family.  Being away from home and having them around is great. From each of these relationships I learn a lot from each of my relationships and have a lot of guidance from the older woman in my life which is very helpful. As I go through life lessons with the people in my lives it helps me understand how important that being a part of a child's life is.