my connections to play

“It is a happy talent to know how to play.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

My childhood may be over, but that doesn’t mean playtime is. Ron Olson











My parents supported my play by making sure my brother and I had all the "newest and coolest" toys out there. We were not allowed to have video games until we were 10. When we were much smaller we would always be outside playing sports with each other and my two cousins. We also all collected beanie babies and would pretend to talk to each other through them. My parents supported us because they never really interrupted us and let us do what we wanted without us getting hurt, obviously. We werent trouble makers anyways, so they didnt really have to worry about us doing anything dumb.

I feel like when I was a kid I would pretend to be all these different things, like the power rangers, or mickey mouse, and other stuff. I feel like pretend play doesnt happen as often at the child care center I work at. I always see the kids playing with the balls and stuff but usually someone gets hurt or a teacher interjects on what they are doing so they never get to explore the imaginary world. I love watching my students in my class pretend to be things. They are only two, so their imagination can only go so far with what they know. I love watching them pretend to go shopping, or be on a "important phone call", or be on an airplane or train. It is so cute, and reminds me of when I was little and what I was really interested in.

I can only hope that this generation of kids have as good a time with playing and their imagination then I did because my childhood was awesome and I would love to go back and just be a kid again, it's so simple and makes you look at life a whole different way.

relationship reflection

Relationships are important to me because without relationships in your life you have no one to talk to or lean on in times of need. I am very grateful for everyone in my life that I can depend on because without them I wouldnt be anywhere close to where I am now.

The people that I see very close and the most important relationships in my life are my Mom, my best friend, my grandmother, my aunt and uncle and my brother. Another really close relationship I had was with my dog but she recently passed away so I am still dealing with that loss.

My mom is my go to person. She is my best friend and when I need anything she is always there for me. My dad passed away when I was 17 so she really stepped it up for my brother and I and made sure we still had the best life we could. She is my hero and I wouldnt be anywhere close to where I am without her in my life.

My best friend Kaely has always been there for me through the good and bad. She recently just helped me get through these panic attacks and anxiety issues I was going through. If it wasnt for her and my mom I'm not sure what would have happened to me. I am all better now, but going through the anxiety and panic attacks was the hardest thing I have ever had to do and without them I'm not sure what would have happened. I am very grateful for Kaelys friendship and am happy we have been friends for so long.

My grandma, brother and aunt and uncle all are my other go to people. They are always there for me no matter what and I really appreciate knowing that I can go to them when I have no one else to talk to.

I have a lot of other people in my life, but these people I see as my go to people and I think I would struggle in life without them.

I have learned through my lifetime that the only way to maintain a relationship is to put in the effort just as much as the other person. It's not fair to you or the other person to be always there and then you not be there at all for them. I have gone through a lot of friends and boyfriends/girlfriends that either I just wasnt feeling it or they weren't making the same effort as well. You must know what you want and so does the other person too, otherwise it wont work out as a friendship or a relationship.

Characteristics that make a good relationship/friendship is trust, honesty, caring, sense of humor, effort, and I think just being good people. If you can't be honest or trust the person you are trying to be with or be friends with it basically is a waste of time to even try to make it work.

Knowing how to be a good friend/partnership in a relationship helps in the early childhood field because you learn that you must make the effort to show you care and be able to be trusted by these kids. In this field, trust is a huge thing. These little children wont do anything you say or be fully able to do anything successful if they dont trust you. These kids are trusting you with their lifes and you must, as the teacher, be able to show them that you are always there for them.