My Connections to Play

Quotes that Summarize My Play Experiences:

"Those who play rarely become brittle in the face of stress or lose the healing capacity for humor."

~Stuart Brown, MD

Contemporary American Psychiatrist

"Play, while it cannot change the external realities of children’s lives, can be a vehicle for children to

explore and enjoy their differences and similarities and to create, even for a brief time, a more just world where everyone is an equal and valued participant."

~Patricia G. Ramsey

Contemporary American Educational Psychologist

Both quotes found at: http://www.thestrong.org/about-play/play-quotes

Some favorite childhood toys:

My mom always said I was an early reader. I don't attribute it to being "forced" to learn how to read, but by having play experiences that encouraged it. The Teddy Ruxpin had a cassette player in the back that would read stories aloud. The bear would also move its head, eyes, and mouth.

Mega bloks were also a childhood favorite. I grew up with 4 sisters and we had numerous colors, sizes, and shapes of these blocks. It was always fun to create a princess castle or fort. We would also use them in pretend play to build a hairbrush to play salon. I remember my mom getting right into the play action with us as well. She never told us that it wasn't okay to use our imaginations.

The Strawberry Shortcake ragdoll was one of my most prized possessions growing up. I am sure in my play experiences that I was a "Mommy" to her and she became a baby that I took care of when I was three to four years of age. My mother tells me I didn't like to leave the house without her. This experience was partly because I would copy my mom and what I saw her do in the house while she took care of my sisters and I. 

My Play Experiences Were Supported By:

My parents: They always encouraged my sisters and I to play outside, with each other, and with friends. We engaged in various activities - pretend play such as house, sports like softball, kickball, hide and seek, tag, and other games. 

My grandparents: Grandma frequently took my sisters and I to playgrounds and story-telling and sing-alongs at the library. My DziaDziu or Grandpa always made it a point to play with us at his house - on the swing set, in the yard, helping us learn to ride bikes, and playing with our Powerwheels cars. I always remember both grandparents encouraging our play experiences and still learning at the same time. 

Preschool Teacher: Mrs. Hidde was my Pre-K teacher when I was four years old. I attended a half-day program. Reflecting upon her program, there is not one thing I would change about how she structured the learning versus play time. All activities encouraged play whether it was creative play with shaving cream at the table or building in the blocks area with different materials. Activities supported her curriculum theme, yet never took away the importance of children playing. 

Play Today Versus Play of My Childhood

In my childhood years, I do not recall ever being told "there wasn't time to play." However, in today's society, there is such a push for academia in the early childhood years that play is becoming extinct. Even in my own classroom, I find myself debating over when to stop the children's play because we have to follow the curriculum and daily schedule. There are days when the children are playing so well that I will skip a circle time just to prolong the interactions that the children are engaging in. A teacher shouldn't have to produce an art project to show learning, so I have been taking pictures of the children's play experiences and writing about the activities to tell parents what the children are learning about through those experiences. As I learn more through my studies in the Early Childhood Studies Masters program, I am finding more information that supports letting children play and learn from those experiences, as opposed to worksheets or mandatory art projects.  I want children to be able to explore and discover in their own element just as I was able to twenty-four years ago.

The Role of Play Throughout My Life

As I reflect on the role of play as I grew into an adult, I think of all the years I played and interacted with my younger siblings. It was through these interactions that I encouraged their creativity and learning and they supported mine. By being a playmate, we built stronger relationships and supported each other's development. 

As an adult, I need to do this for my preschoolers. By getting down to their level and playing in the centers with them, I encourage their play experiences as well as model them. These play experiences will help build children's self-esteem as they will continue playing games or toys that they know about and can succeed at. It will also help build social skills as children learn turn-taking, expressive and receptive language, and how to play well and empathize with others (Dixon, 2011). 

Reference:

Dixon, E. (2011). Importance of play in child development. Retrieved November 25, 2011 from  
     http://www.child-development-guide.com/importance-of-play.html

Personal Childhood Web

     The diagram above shows five important people that helped care for me as I was growing up. I will explain who each person is in detail in a clockwise direction as listed on the diagram. First and foremost, my dad and mom both showed me care and love by making sure I had everything I needed to succeed in life. My dad was always the one I could talk about anything that I was concerned about. Both provided food, shelter, education and helped guide me as I learned about my Christian faith/background in a private, Catholic school. My mom always made sure we had home-cooked meals, and took us to after-school activities. Both of my parents were involved in making sure I completed schoolwork, as well as cheering me on in softball games and sporting events. I never doubted that they cared about me deeply. In my adult years my parents continue to influence me as I hope to be a parent one day and enstill the same values, trust, and faith in my children as they have provided me.
     The next name on the diagram is "DziaDziu." This is the Polish translation of Grandpa. He is my father's father. The reason he is a part of my web is how much time he spent with me and my siblings as we grew up. He was our after-school caretaker. When school was over, DziaDziu would come get us from school and sometimes take us to McDonald's for Happy Meals. He also showed us respect and taught us manners and how to be polite. We learned about our Polish heritage through him and celebrated most holidays in a Polish style. I know I would not be the person I am today if I didn't have his guidance. A year ago my father passed away, so in honor of my dad, I asked DziaDziu to walk me down the aisle in my Wedding. At 92 years of age, despite walking with a cane, he walked with me so proudly that I will never forget his being there at such an important time in my life. (See Picture Below)
     My grandma in the diagram is my mom's mother. She was always proud of my sisters and I when we accomplished something in school or sports. She always told the story about when I first began to read. "I was in preschool and at four years old I picked up the newspaper and read about George Bush as president." Grandma took us to the mall almost every Saturday and treated us to Friendly's lunch. She was also very helpful when it came to buying our dresses for school dances. I remember her being most influential in my learning/continuing to read. She always had library books and would let me take books out as well. I always knew I was well-cared for and loved at Grandma's house. In my life now, it is so important for me to remain connected to my grandmother as she is in a nursing facility. Because she took such good care of me, I must now make the same effort in return to her as she had such an impact in my life.
     The final name on the diagram above is "Mrs. Reidy." She is an important community member, educator and family friend. As my fifth grade teacher, I learned many things from her. I also learned the importance of family at that time as my parents had a test of their marriage and Mrs. Reidy was there to listen to me as I struggled with understanding my parents' marital issues. My parents were able to work through their problems with the help of Mrs. Reidy guiding them as well as me and my sisters. It was evident to me even as a child that she cared deeply about the well-being of her students. She did her best to make sure everyone was happy and if not, took steps to help the child. In my adult years, I hope to a strong teacher and nurturer for my students as she was to me. I strive to be a compassionate person in my everyday teaching, having a special role in all of the students' lives.

DziaDziu walks me down the aisle, 4/9/11

   

"Just Playing"

This poem by Anita Wadley helps support the importance of play:

JUST PLAYING

When I’m building in the block room, please don’t say I’m “Just Playing.”
For you see, I’m learning as I play about balances and shapes.
Who knows, I may be an architect some day.

When I’m getting all dressed up; setting the table, caring for the babies,
Don’t get the idea I’m “Just Playing.”
For, you see, I’m learning as I play;
I may be a mother or father some day.

When you see me sitting in a chair, reading to an imaginary audience.
Please don’t laugh and think I’m “Just Playing.”
For, you see, I’m learning as I play;
I may be a teacher someday.

When you see me combing the bushes for bugs,
Or packing my pockets with choice things I find; don’t pass it off as “Just Play.”
For, you see, I’m learning as I play:
I may be a scientist someday.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle or some “plaything” at my school,
Please don’t feel the time is wasted.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play. I’m learning to solve problems and concentrate.
I may be in business some day.

When you see me cooking or tasting foods,
Please don’t think that because I enjoy it, it is “Just Play.”
I’m learning to follow directions and see differences.
I may be a cook someday.

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run and move my body;
Please don’t say I’m “Just Playing.”
For, you see, I’m learning as I play; I’m learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday.

When you asked me, what I’ve done at school today,
And I say “I just played”; please don’t misunderstand me.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to enjoy and be successful in my work;
I’m preparing for tomorrow.

Today, I am a child and my work is play.

EDUC-6005-9 Foundations of Early Childhood Studies

Welcome to my Blog! This blog will be used as a resource for open communication between my course instructor, fellow classmates and me. I look forward to the exchange of ideas and thoughts about the many aspects of providing a nurturing learning environment for early learners.