My Connections to Play

Quotes

“As astronauts and space travelers children puzzle over the future; as dinosaurs and princesses they unearth the past. As weather reporters and restaurant workers they make sense of reality; as monsters and gremlins they make sense of the unreal.” ~ Gretchen Owocki 

Retrieved September 28, 2011, from http://www.childsplaymagazine.com/Quotes/index.htm

“When we treat children's play as seriously as it deserves, we are helping them feel the joy that's to be found in the creative spirit. It's the things we play with and the people who help us play that make a great difference in our lives.” Fred Rogers.  

Retrieved September 28, 2011 from http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/show/198598

“When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last, "what's the first thing you say to yourself?"

"What's for breakfast?" said Pooh. "What do you say, Piglet?"

"I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" said Piglet.

Pooh nodded thoughtfully. "It's the same thing," he said.”  A. A. Milne
  Retrieved September 28, 2011 from http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/81466.A_A_Milne

My sister and I loved to play outside.  I remember we would play outside for hours.  I remember riding my tricycle down the street with my sister standing on the back holding onto me.  My tricycle was unique in that it had a big front wheel.  We never went far on our tricycles as the neighbors would stop us and tell us to go home.   When we tired of our tricycles, we would play with the skipping rope chanting all sorts of rhymes.   In the fall, we would play in the leaves.  We would use our feet and hands to pile the leaves and then create our leaf house.   Sometimes our leaf house was our house and sometimes a maze for our game of chase.  We had a sandbox in the backyard where we would spend hours making castles and potions.  We also had a swing set in the backyard and spent lots of time seeing how high we could go before the swing set started to bump. When we were older, we would play hide and seek with our friends.  Often times we would invent our own games making up crazy rules.   When it was raining, we would stay inside where we would spend hours colouring or making forts using all of the pillows from the couch. We did have Barbie dolls but we were not very gentle with them (cut their hair off).  I remember when I learned to crochet; I made Barbie outfits for my younger sister.   I have fond memories of grandma and grandpa’s house.  We would grab pillows to sit on so we could slide down the stairs (a very bumpy ride).  We did not have a lot of toys, but were very creative with what we had.   We were given the freedom to play.  When we were outside we did not have adult supervision.  My mom could see us out the window.  If we left the house, we would tell her where we were going.    

Today, children are driven EVERYWHERE!  Children are driven to school, to soccer practice, to music lessons, to ballet, to many different programs.  According to David Elkind, “play is being replaced by organized activities” (Elkind,2006).  I wonder why children cannot walk to school.  I wonder why children are not encouraged to be outside playing rather than sitting in front of the television or computer.  The backyard welcomes the child and is a great spot to play and learn.  If not the backyard, then children can go to the park to play.   Of course, many children live in large cities where safety is a concern. I know as parents we were nervous to let our children go to the park alone and always took them. As a child, I had a lot of freedom to be outside without adult supervision.  It is sad that children do not have the same opportunities today.  
As mentioned, as a child,I did not have a lot of toys.  I note the difference to the average child today.  I find it amazing the number of toys children have now.   As parents, we tried to have a balance of toys (not too many but enough).   I can see where parents can fall into the trap of overbuying for their children.  Children and parents are bombarded with toy advertisements and it is easy for children to say “I want.”  It is my hope that parents will recognize the benefits of play whether indoors or outdoors and give their children many opportunities to play.

Currently, my job allows me to continue to play.  I love having the opportunity to share my passion for being active with others for example.    I read an article by Elizabeth Jones entitled “Play across the life cycle from initiative to integrity to transcendence.”  I loved how the author equates her work with play.   When we enjoy our work, I think we tend to be more creative especially if given the opportunity.    According to Jones, as adults we continue to play in other ways-gardening, travelling, taking long walks, dancing, etc.  Jones also states that “the things we learn very well are the things we have time to play at” (Jones, 2003).  Play is about discovering new things, using your imagination to explore and create.  Without play, life would be rather dull!

References

Jones, E. (2003). Play and Creativity. Retrieved September 29, 2011 from http://www.sapo.org.au/pub/pub1903.html

Jones, E. (2011). Play across the life cycle from initiative to integrity to transcendence. Young Children, 66(4), 84-91.

Elkind, D. (2006). Learning through play Retrieved September 29, 2011, from http://www.communityplaythings.com/resources/articles/valueofplay/learningthroughplay.htm

Relationship Reflection

“When something is missing in your life, it usually turns out to be someone”.  ~Robert Brault

When you think about the number of relationships you have with others, you start to realize the number of important people in your life, personally and professionally.  We connect with others for so many reasons. Each relationship validates you and offers you something in return.    The most important relationship I have is with my husband.  We have been together for twenty-three years.  I realized how much our relationship meant to me this summer when he became very ill. I cannot imagine life without him.  You get the picture. Okay, moving on to my children.  They bring me joy and headaches, but I love them for who they are and love seeing myself or their dad reflected in the things they say or do.  Then there is my family (mom, dad, my two sisters) and my relationships with each of them --well, all I can say is that I have very different relationships with each of them.  They offer support and encouragement although my mom has an odd way of showing this.   Finally, there are the relationships I have with my circle of friends where support and advice is a phone call away and when we get together, we share our stories and laugh!  When I need a boost, I phone one of my good friends.   My relationships with my friends are wonderful and after chatting with them I always feel so much better!  I love that I can trust my friends!

Professionally, I have a number of work colleagues where our relationship remains on a professional level.  We communicate at work, problem solve issues and decide on a plan for the future. This relationship focuses only on work related issues.  I may not always agree with their views or decisions and can come home downright upset.  Of course, I chat with my hubby or a friend when this happens then am ready to start a new day.  I find I need to have outside interests from work to stay fresh and motivated.    Professional relationships are not the same kind of relationship I have with my family and friends.

It takes time and effort to maintain good relationships with others.  Within each relationship, it is important to be a good listener. I think relationships inspire us, motivate us and contribute to our overall well-being.    Having positive relationships in our lives is so beneficial for our work as early childhood professionals. Being happy and content in my own life benefits not just me but everyone I come in contact with as I can give 100% back.

Child Development and Breastfeeding

I remember my mother discouraging from breastfeeding.  I was a bottle fed baby and my mom figured I should follow the same practice. I think she was uncomfortable and did not know what advice to give (and she usually has advice and opinions on everything!).   I read so much about the benefits of breastfeeding that I decided it was worth it.  I loved the idea of snuggling with my baby and not having to prepare bottles every day.  I grew to enjoy breastfeeding after my initial unsuccessful attempts at her latching on .  I did become anxious when we were out for the evening and took her with us.  I was uncomfortable breastfeeding in public and would disappear someplace quiet to nurse.  My friend showed me how to use a blanket to cover myself. Who knew that nursing could be so easy after this discovery!  I learned to stay away from certain foods as she seemed to off days depending on what I had eaten.  I was able to breastfeed her for the first eight months and then had to return to work.  It was too challenging to continue to breastfeed and try to express so we switched to the bottle.

Breastfeeding in Mongolia

Oh, to live in Mongolia where breastfeeding is embraced, encouraged, and catered to!  Moms are treated like royalty as Mongolians believe breast milk will make the baby grow big and strong. Breastfeeding in public-no worries.  People actually approach nursing moms to have a look.  Most children stop breastfeeding between 2 and 4 years of age whereas an occasional few will continue to 9 years of age (I can't imagine!).  Mongolians like the taste of breast milk.  If a mom needed to express some milk, and left the milk in the fridge, a family member would drink it.  It would appear that breastfeeding in Mongolia is the norm.

Child Birth Experiences

It was many years ago but feels like yesterday that I found out I was expecting our first child. We were so excited.   We attended prenatal classes, and read "What to expect when you are expecting" to learn more. Early in the pregnancy, I experienced some bleeding.  The doctor recommended I take some time off work.  Needless to say, we were a little nervous, but everything was okay (ultrasound).  I gained forty pounds and waddled here and there during my last month.   I remember waking up in the wee hours of the morning feeling somewhat uncomfortable.  A couple of hours later, I decided that perhaps we should head to the hospital.  I remember sitting on the couch waiting for my husband to pack his bag (mine had been ready for weeks).  Off we go to the hospital!  My husband is so nervous we run a red light.  When we get to the hospital, he wants me to walk from the parking lot!  We laugh now about all of this now.  Anyways, labor was fairly short  from the time we arrived at the hospital to when our little six pound girl was born (about three and half hours....I am not complaining). 
 
Giving birth in Sweden sounds very positive for couples.  It would appear that midwives manage the prenatal, birth and after birth process.  The only time an expectant mom would see the doctor is if there were complications.  The doctor does check the baby after birth.  From what I discovered, the birthing process is done with as little intervention as possible.  One dad blogged that he felt Sweden to be the safest spot in the word to have a baby.  C-sections in Sweden happen infrequently (17%) compared to the U.S.  Almost all births occur in the hospital.  What interested me the most is that of parental leave.  In Sweden, parents are entitled to 480 days of paid leave per child!  Can you imagine! This is so supportive of parents who wish to spend time with their child.