My Connection to Play

"Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world."
- Maria Montessori

"All of us have moments in our childhood where we come alive for the first time. And we go back to those moments and think, 'This is when I became myself.'"
- Rita Dove

 “We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”

When I was a young child I remember plenty of times being at home by myself with my mother while my siblings was off at school. I was play alone or sometimes with my neighbor daughter. I remember my mother saying “go play.” Although at that age I did not understand the growth I was experiencing. My mother encouraged play unknowingly how beneficial play would be to my future education. In the present I view play as regulated by parents and professionals. The word play has a board definition unrelated to education.  Varies research studies shows how play impacts emotional, physical and cognitive development.   

Relationship Reflection

The relationships I have are important to me because they have grown and developed over years of building. The closest relationship I have is my mother, she is my biggest supporter. I am the true definition of a “momma’s girl” I go to my mother for everything just to hear her opinion. My best friend Ember is another relationship that is important to me she is the true definition of a friend. She is also my spiritual sister. I am a very protective person. I am also honest, some may say I am mean but I believe I am direct. When developing relationships it is important for my friends to understand me as a person as well as me understanding them. I Know Ember calls me and ask for my advise only when she needs me to be direct with her, if she does not ask for my opinion I do not give it to her because she is sensitive. The fact I know this about Ember gives our friendship longevity. The greatest challenge I have maintaining the wonderful relationship I have with my mother, she tends to be narrow minded. Since I know she is a narrow minded person I can just allow her to be herself without allowing her to affect me with her words. I also have a great relationship with my daughter’s teacher. My daughter attends a Montessori she has had the same teacher for two years. I communicate with her teacher weekly regarding Da’Nijah learning development, behavior and social interactions. She understands my involvement in Da’Nijah education; I understand her passion as a teacher. All these relationships have a great impact on my life and my success thus far. At this point only relationship I am interested in developing is the ones with mentors to enhance and guide my career as a early childhood professional. 

Me and Ember

 

Me and My mother during the birth of my son