My Connection to Play

Here are a few quotes about play that represents my life as a child.


Stay a child while you can be a child. STEPHEN SONDHEIM, Into the Woods

"Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning." Fred Rogers

"Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn."
O. Fred Donaldson, American Martial Arts Master




Here are a few of the toys that I played with as a child.  The one that meant the most to me was the Family Tree House.  The toys that I picked represents the childhood that I had before my mother passed away.  Seeing the Family Tree House was very emotional for me because I remember sitting on the floor playing with my tree house while my mother was sewing at the table.  I would play with this toy for hours. Beyond the toys represented below I used to love completing puzzles, paint by the numbers and  making articles with the hook latch kits. 
I was the only child so my play at home was supported by my mother. She would join me and play with me for hours.  That was our bonding time.  We would talk and enjoy each other company.  She never stopped me from expressing myself and she encourage my creativity. I would copy her doing craft activities. She would hang my projects on the wall and show everybody that came by my work.



                                                                                           


Play today is different than my play was when I was a child.  I believe that many children today do not know how to play.  Their play is based on their life experiences and unfortunately they play games that imitate a negative view of life.  I have had children pretend they were shot and died. I find that some children view police as negative people. Another game that I witnessed my students playing is getting "locked up".  They think it is common for people to be locked up.   I find that to be disturbing. I have to admit it is hard explaining to the children that cops are suppose to be the good people and that going to jail is not fun.  The video games are too violent and realistic.  When I was younger our video games were Donkey Kong and Ms. PacMan, games that involved skills and concentration and was not violent. Some children mistake video games as real life activities. When I was a child our play was innocent and for pure enjoyment.  I would love for the children today to enjoy being a carefree child, enjoying life to its fullest and playing wholeheartedly in an environment that protected them.  

Relationship Reflection

I have several people that are special to me that I hold dear in my heart.  These are people that I can lean on in any time of need and I value their impact in my life. I respect them as friends and as family.  Our  differences make us special and I believe that makes our bond tighter. Relationships are important because they help us develop.  Everyone needs somebody that helps them grow mentally and emotionally. 

One group of people that are special to me are my cousins.  There are only five of us girls. We depend on each other in different ways and I admire us for the young ladies we have grown up to be.  Below you see 2 teachers, a police officer, an officer in the army and a soon to be nurse. 

I have to admit I have several acquaintances but few that I call true blue friends.  One of my most fondest friends is, Earl Kights.  Our friendship grew out of him helping me to cope with the death of my mother.  I have the up most respect for him.  He has been involved with every stage of my life.  He lets me make my mistakes but then he offers his wisdom to help me get back on track. Earl is a father figure, mentor,and a best friend.   At this time he is guiding me through the process of buying my first house. 

Next, would be my friendship with Sister Lewis.  She calls me her little sister.  Our friendship developed from us working together in 1998. I think what makes us close is that we are the total opposite.  She practices the Apostolic religion.  Even though her religion is strict she is still down to earth.  She let's me be me. We talk daily about anything and everything.  We respect our differences.  There is a lot that I do not understand or agree with her religion but we are able to talk about a wide range of subjects and respect each other opinions.

I have had several people that at one time I had  considered them to be close friends but because of certain circumstances I realized that their friendship was not true.  Someone once told me, "Do not make people a priority that think of you as an option".  Unfortunately, I have had that happen to me several times where I been in these people life for years and had supported them in their journey but when I need them to be their for me they were nonexistence or nonchalant about my situation and/or feelings.  These are people that I categorized as acquaintances.  The challenges that I have faced in current and past relationships are people expectations.  Usually it is people's expectations of what I should be doing for them.  


I believe what helps me have a good relationship with my parents is that I respect them.  Majority of my parents are young under 25 years old.  Many have little or no education.  No matter what their circumstances are I treat them with respect.  I understand the situations that they maybe experiencing because I have been in their shoes and could have been like them.  The only difference is that I made different choices.