My Connections to Play

This week in class we are focusing on the topic of play in early childhood education - it's importance, it's benefits, and more. In order to better understand the meaning and importance of play, we have to examine our own experiences, interpretations, and benefits of play that we have been exposed to since childhood.

1. First, I begin with two important quotes about play:

• "Through games and activities, a skilled teacher can introduce something unknown to a hesitant learner and allow the student to practice until mastery is achieved. Structured classroom play can appeal to all styles of learners: visual, aural, and kinesthetic," (Rivera, 2009, p. 52). 
• Being a very visual and hands on learner, this quote really stood out to me. Growing up, math was a challenging subject and always left me feeling frustrated. When I had the opportunity to use manipulatives and play games to practice a topic, I would feel more at ease, confident, and understand the concept more. Even as an adult, I am the type of learner that needs to see it and do it to best understand it. I attempt to provide all such types of opportunities for learning throughout the day in my classroom.
• "Play can enliven that which seems uninteresting, add humor, and infuse creativity into rigid and and dry topics," (Rivera, 2009, p. 52). 
• This quote takes me down memory lane to my primary grade and elementary school years. Some of the best school memories involved wonderful teachers who provided opportunities for fun and exciting games and projects to help us better understand the topics at hand. By participating in hands-on projects, crafts, and other learning experiences, I can still remember skills and concepts practiced in such ways to this day. 

2. Next, I will share a few pictures of the essential toys and games to my childhood. These toys and games were items I played with on a consistent basis growing up. They are items that provided me with a variety of fond memories with my parents, cousins, friends, and brother. 

• As most young girls do, I always loved playing with Barbies! I had quite the collection and loved the classic Barbie pink convertible, as well. My cousins and I would sit and play with Barbies for hours on end in our Barbie playhouses, changing their clothes and shoes, brushing and styling their hair, and having "parties". Many a rainy day was spent each summer in my cousins play room with Lisa, Jordan, Meagan and I playing Barbies!

• Another popular past time of my childhood was Nintendo! Who didn't love to play Nintendo!? Super Mario Brothers 3 and Zelda were among my favorite games that I would play with my mom, dad, aunt and cousins. We attempted to keep and use our Nintendo throughout my years growing up, even though new gaming systems were coming out each year until we had to finally retire the system as it was impossible to fix and play anymore. That was a sad day! :(

• I come from a very sports-oriented family and from a young age I had a genuine interest and love for sports, in general. By age 7 I began playing softball and completely fell in love with the game! I played until I was 19 years old for fast pitch teams, and remained on a few slow pitch teams into my early twenties. Now I miss it on a daily basis and would love to possibly go back to playing and eventually coaching someday. 

• Another popular and necessary toy and tool of my childhood were art supplies! I absolutely loved to draw, color, cut, and craft drawings, pictures, and projects as a child from very early on and this love continued throughout my childhood into adolescence and adulthood. One of my many joys of teaching is the ability to be creative and make things as samples and posters and more for my students and classroom. 

3. Thirdly, I will discuss and describe ways in which people in my life supported and encouraged play during my childhood years. 

• As a child, some of my first memories of play took place at my Aunt Deb's house in Philadelphia, where she lived across the street from my parents and I. My Aunt Deb would babysit me during the day while my uncle and parents worked and her children, my cousins, were in school. We would eat breakfast together, spend the morning playing dolls, dress up, school, and more, eat lunch and take a break for some of my shows and her shows, work on some academic and learning based activities such as practice workbooks where we would practice numbers, letters, colors, and more, and lastly while she would do some house chores during the afternoons I would nap or play independently. 
• Upon entering Kindergarten in the city, I remember only being in school for half day and having a very strict teacher. We were often sitting at tables and writing or drawing. Minimal play time was allotted. We moved to New Jersey before starting first grade and that was a total change! My teacher was wonderful, allowing me to explore and play while learning and taught me confidence in my own abilities, even teaching me how to read! I am fortunate enough to work with this teacher now in my district together in fourth grade, which is an amazing feeling as she was my first inspiration to become a teacher. 
• My parents also played a key part in my play years. Dad and I always had the connection with sports and Nintendo! Mom and I would play dolls and Barbies, draw and color, play games, and read together. My love for reading definitely comes from the times when mom and I would snuggle on the couch and read books together way back when.
• Overall, the roles of play have influenced me into being more sociable with others (even though I am shy by nature) and prepared me with a variety of academic and life skills I still carry with me to this day. 

4. Fourth, I will discuss the similarities and differences between play when I was a child as compared to play in our current society and field of education. 

• I think it is very evident and obvious that play has changed drastically in and out of school from my childhood until present day. When I was a child, life seemed less busy. Parents seemed more likely to take time to sit and work with their children, play with their children, and experience life together. In current society, most parents are consumed by work and technology in such a way that the needs of a child may be neglected, both intentionally and unintentionally. I think parents in our current society are simply uninformed of the importance and necessity of play in a  child's life and development. It is important to provide information and knowledge for them to understand this concept. 
• In addition, technology has drastically changed play through the years. When I was a child, Nintendo was a fun gaming system to play but it was not something that monopolized my play time, provided a babysitter to keep me occupied, nor was I allowed to play it for hours on end as I was made to play other games, socialize with cousins and friends, and play outside. In our current society, video games, cell phones, iPads and more monopolize a child's play time and attention. Parents use such tools as something to keep the child busy or quiet. Children now will sit for hours upon hours playing video games, while most children rarely ever take time to play outside and exercise. Times have definitely changed!
• My overall hope and goal in terms of play for our current society is for it to be recognized as the crucial piece in a child's development that it is. I hope it will become a more weighted and incorporated piece into our curriculums and that more parents will begin to foster and encourage more positive interactions and play at home, once provided with the know-how to do so. The positive effects and benefits on a child who experiences play speak for itself and I am hopeful we will all begin to support such opportunities in education more in the future. 

5. Lastly, I must discuss my thoughts on the role of play throughout my life (childhood to adulthood), as well as in general on a child's life from childhood to adulthood.

• Rivera (2009) lists, “Playground games such as “Mother May I?” or “Red Light/Green Light” develop self-control and social skills; board games promote taking turns, strategic thinking, and problem solving; sports, playground equipment, and blocks or construction activities augment physical coordination; and word games promote linguistic and social skills,” (p. 50). Each of the aforementioned play activities and opportunities spark fond memories of my childhood. Each of those play moments and memories were shared with someone special in my life and taught me skills that I still carry with me to this day. Skills taught during play are more meaningful than many people realize, such as the ability to socialize and interact with your peers in an appropriate manner! Problem solving skills are a key skill we need in every aspect of our lives. I remember facing many problems during play time with friends both in and out of school and by being part of those opportunities we learned the good and the bad of how to solve a problem and get to a resolution. Play didn't end for me when childhood "ended". I, to this day, feel as though I am a "big kid at heart" because I feel as though I still appreciate play, appreciate and realize the importance of letting go and having fun, being a little goofy at times. I still am willing to learn from others and work together to create new things and share adventures. Play continued on in my life past childhood and is still active in my life today for me personally, for the students in my classroom, for my younger cousins whom I treasure spending time with, and eventually, when the time comes, will carry over to my own children. 
• Turning the tides a bit, the overall role of play and it's impact on a child will carry on from birth through adulthood, not only specifically to my own self but to all children, in some way, shape, or form. As Rivera states, “Through toys, games, role plays, and imaginative use of equipment and materials, children develop physically, intellectually, linguistically, emotionally, and socially,” (2009, p. 50). The benefits are many, the negative impacts are few in terms of play. The role of play in any child's life can create long lasting, positive impacts on the child's development of biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial abilities. Your opportunities for play and experiences in play during childhood will provide you with a foundation for many aspects and emotions you will count on for the rest of your life. Play does not merely start and end in childhood; rather it is a concept, an idea, an entity that continues and is surrounding you at every turn. We need to embrace the opportunities, take advantage of them, and learn from them, even in adolescence and adulthood. Play provides us with opportunities to interact with others and use our creativity and imaginations to go to a whole new world. Play can be an active part of your life depending on your job or career path you have chosen! We must never, ever underestimate the power of play and the lessons it will teach us from the time we are born until the time we leave this great Earth. 

This has been lengthy but I hope it has been fun and informative. If you are anything like me, this post took you on a journey down memory lane and brought many smiles to your face. I hope you shared that with me during your time reading this posting this week. Until next time…

Ashley :)

References:

Rivera, M. (2009). The powerful effect of play in a child's education. Education Digest, 75(2), 50-52.

Relationship Reflection

In week 2 of my third class, we will be discussing the importance and long-lasting effects of relationships on child development. This calls for me to reflect on my own relationships I participate in for my own life. In my opinion, relationships and partnerships are one in the same; it is important for all parties involved to partake and be a team player in order for any relationship or partnership to work and be effective. A relationship requires a give and take, an understanding, compromise, time, and care. Throughout my life I have been very fortunate to be surrounded by and be a part of various positive and influential relationships. Five people in which their relationships have had a positive influence or been an important part of my life will be discussed in detail below, including my parents (mom and dad), brother (Ryan), best friend (Jessy), boyfriend (Michael), and dog (Duke).

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The first relationship that has been a positive influence in my life would be the relationship I share with my parents. My parents have always been there for me, always been firm but fair, loving, caring, encouraging, understanding, supportive, and so much more. My dad and I have always shared a bond via sports. We are a huge sports family and many fond memories come from times we worked together in our back yard or when he was coaching my softball team through the years. He always knew how to challenge me but support me at the same time and was my biggest fan. My mom and I have always been very close and I love that I can say now she is one of my best friends. She has always been my shoulder to cry on, ear to listen, and the best advice giver around. First and foremost, she was my mom and at times I did not like what she had to say but now I appreciate her so much more. My parents have showed me how to raise a child, how to persevere through challenges and difficult times, how to take care and love one another, and so much more. I will always be grateful for the life they provided for me and how they raised me, as well as how they continue to support me in every life decision I make, even at 27 years old and not living at home. I love them both and I feel very lucky to have such wonderful parents.

The second relationship that has been a positive influence and partnership is the one I share with my younger and only brother, Ryan. Ryan and I are almost 7 years apart. I still remember the day I found out I was going to be a big sister - I was so excited I couldn't stop talking about it! I went into my Kindergarten classroom the next day and drew a big picture and told everyone all about it. I couldn't wait to be a big sister. When my brother was born, I immediately wanted to be the helper. He was my little buddy right away and I loved it. There were times through the years that he absolutely, positively drove me bonkers but at the end of the day I couldn't be more grateful for him. We have always been close and again I feel lucky to call him one of my best friends. He is currently in college about 2 hours away and having the time of his life. I am so proud of him and happy for him but do miss having him around! My boyfriend and I both hang out with him a lot - Mike (my boyfriend) has taken him under his wing over the past 7 1/2 years as if he was his own little brother - and they are best buds, too. This relationship has made me very protective, taught me so much about how to help someone and be there for someone, and more importantly that family is forever. He has grown up to be an all around great guy with a good heart who is a great brother, son, and friend and someday will make a great husband and father. Love that (not-so) little guy.

The third relationship that has had one of the biggest influences on my life is the relationship I shared with my very best friend and "adopted sister", Jessy, for 12 years. We met on the first day of school in first grade, both brand new to Bellmawr Park school. We instantly hit it off and over the next 12 years of our school careers we had become inseparable. Our families even became friendly and we were "adopted" into one another's families, going to family parties and gatherings and much more. She was my person. She was my go to when I needed someone. We were always together and always there for each other. Jessy was and continues to be one of the nicest, kindest, most genuine people I have ever met with the biggest heart to love and help everyone she had ever met. At the beginning of our senior year of high school (2004), whilst making plans for our exciting future, Jessy had a brain aneurism and within a week she passed away. This was a blow to my system and to this day continues to be something I struggle to deal with. It left me with a huge void and not a day passes by that I do not miss her. She taught me so many things about life, love, friendship, and more. This relationship, hands down, has had the biggest influence on my life and continues to influence me everyday, even though she is gone. RIP always, my best friend forever, JRL.

The fourth relationship I chose to share is the relationship that has been a HUGE part of my life for the past 7 1/2 years; the relationship that I share with my boyfriend, Michael, the love of my life. When we first met we instantly hit it off. We had so many things in common and just enjoyed talking to each other. Since I was 2 hours away in college, we spoke on the phone almost daily and just enjoyed chatting and making one another laugh. We developed a friendship and I am so glad I can call him my best friend, as well. The past 7 1/2 years I have spent with Mike have been a blessing. I am so thankful everyday for him to be a part of my life and I believe, deep down, that Jessy sent him to me. They would be the best of friends if she could be here and I am thankful to her for sending him to me a year and a half after losing her. He has helped me in so many ways to become the person I am today, just as Jessy has. Mike is the funniest, sweetest, most caring man I have ever met and been with. He makes me laugh everyday and always knows how to cheer me up or help me through my hardest and most challenging moments. I honestly don't know what I would do or where I would be without him in my life. He has taught me how to love and care for someone so deeply and I cannot wait for the day I will be lucky enough to say I am his wife and we can then eventually have our own family. He is my other half and I love him to pieces.

The last relationship I chose to share is the relationship I share with my one and only favorite pup, my buddy, my dog Duke! The Dukester is the dog that Mike bought right after we began dating officially, 7 1/2 years ago. I instantly fell in love with this pup and helped take care of him, name him, and called him my own. Mike immediately called me "his mommy" and told everyone that Duke was "our dog", which of course made me so happy. Duke is a pit bull and hands down the sweetest, cutest, and most loyal and loving dog I have ever met. The breed gets such a bad rap and I always tell people that if they spent just five minutes with my Duke, they would change their minds about the breed altogether! He loves kids and enjoys every second he spends with my little cousins and goddaughter. He barely barks but loves to be pet and have all your love and attention. He is my little buddy and a part of our little family. Mike and I refer to him as "our child" because that is exactly how we treat him and how we feel about him! This relationship is just as special as the others and has taught me responsibility and how to take care of someone besides myself. I do think it is great preparation for when you have children and I couldn't imagine life without my little buddy. He may drive me absolutely insane some days but being able to come home to him everyday, being welcomed by his happy face and wagging tail knowing he is SO happy to see you, is such an awesome feeling. I love my Dukester.

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Each of these relationships have not always been easy to maintain, each has had their challenges, but each has always been and always will be worth fighting for and working out. Each relationship has a different meaning to me but is equally important to me, as well. They all have a very special place in my heart that will never change or disappear. I firmly believe that each of these relationships is in some way a partnership, especially my relationship with Mike. At the heart of our relationship is a friendship foundation, which has been the rock that has gotten us through even our toughest moments. I call it a partnership because we are a team, we work together, we support one another, we take care of each other through good and bad, we challenge and encourage one another, and so much more. Each day we work at our relationship and make it better, each day I love him more. Without this foundation, without this partnership in which we are BOTH invested, our relationship would NOT have made it 7 1/2 years and counting. :)

In addition, I think each of these relationships has taught me life skills and characteristics and made me into the person I am in order to better help me be the best educator I could possibly be in this field. The relationship that has taught me the most about how to relate and understand the field I work in would be the one I share with my brother, Ryan, and my dog, Duke, for various reasons. Caring for my brother through the years showed me from a very young age that I wanted to work with children and be a teacher. In addition, my relationship with my dog has taught me responsibility, love, and patience, all of which can also be applied to my field.

In closing, each of these relationships has, and will continue to have, a long-lasting, positive influence and impact on my life and on my outlook on and role in relationships and partnerships. I have learned so much from each of these people over the past 27 years of my life and will continue to learn for the next 27 years plus! I consider myself a lifelong learner in terms of education, but also in terms of life, as well. I value relationships with my parents, brother, best friend, boyfriend, and dog so much, as well as the rest of my friends and family I did not mention. If I mentioned everyone, I would sit here for days writing and sharing pictures! I am eternally thankful, grateful, and lucky to be blessed with these people in my life and will always let them know how much I treasure them and the lessons they are teaching me in my life.

Until next time….