My Supports

 

Emotional Supports

Family: I think the most important ingredient to my support system is my family. When I encounter a problem, I like to be able to talk it out. I look to my family to be there as I work through the emotions and determine my course of action. My family also serves as a practical support. For example, if I needed someone to watch my infant, I have a slew of aunts, uncles, grandmas, and grandpas to call. And I always feel confident that my child will be cared for in my absence.

Practical Supports:

Income: It is important for me to have a stable income as I support my family. Income is vital to providing the necessities. If I did not have an income, I would not be able to feed my family or be able to drive them to and from activities.

Computer: I think another valuable support is the use of the internet. I remember when there was a time when I had to go to the library to research for a paper or find information. Now I am able to complete this course with the use of my computer and the internet. I am able to look for a good recipe for dinner by surfing the internet. If I have a question about when to start my newborn on solids, I can look at entire blog of other mothers sharing information.

Physical Support:

Husband: As I think of the heavy things, literally, I think of my husband as a physical support. I was always taught that a woman can do just as much as a man. But when moving the couch to another room, I need two capable people, myself and my husband. So as I think of physical challenges I think of my husband and the teamwork we use to complete a task.

 

Why is my support system so important?

As I reflect on challenging times, I am able to examine the benefits to having supports in my life. This past November my son was born and I needed to have an emergency C-section. The recovery time was unexpected and was not part of my plan. I am a very plan oriented person! I relied on my family for the emotional support as well as the physical support. The frozen meals that were sent over to the house were a practical support that made life easier for my husband and I. Each of these supports made the recovery a little easier. I felt rested and ready to take on the new challenge of being a MOM! Challenges and obstacles are a part of life. As I confront any challenge I feel confident that I will overcome any obstacle with the use of my support system.

My Connections to Play

 

 

"Almost all creativity involves purposeful play." ~Abraham Moslow

 

"In our play we reveal what kind of people we are." ~Ovid

 

 

 

Toys I played with:

 

Toy Kitchen

 

 

Cabbage Patch Baby Doll

 

 

The role of play in my life:

 

·                                 As a child, I was the youngest of five children. I had many playmates that delved into my imagination with me. And as the youngest, I have to admit, I got to lead the play scheme. I often played in my make-believe world. I took on the role of the mother and took care of the baby dolls. As I think of play today, I think there is a greater emphasis on electronics. While I was younger there was Nintendo and I did like to play games ever so often. But I was more interested in going outside to my tree house or playing tag in the field behind my house. I was lucky to have a playground close by and lots of fields to run through. Where I teach today, the school district has many townhomes and very little playgrounds. Children have Ipads, Iphones, Xbox, and Wii. Although in the classroom, I witness the make-believe play in the kitchen center and the imagination in the block center. It is not always so natural and many children need to be taught how to play with others. My hope is that children continue to engage in make-believe play, get outside, and interact with others. I wish for every child to have a healthy balance between electronics and interactive play. As I look back on the role of play in my life, I think of who I have become. I always liked to play the mother or the caretaker. As a teacher today, I see myself as a caretaker and I enjoy taking on that role.

 







Relationship Reflection

Why are relationships/partnerships important to me?

As I consider the question, I remember an old saying I have heard in my past. “In life you’ll realize there is a purpose for everyone you meet. Some will test you, some will use you, and some will teach you.  But most importantly, some will bring out the best in you.” Relationships can last a lifetime while others a minute but in the end it is those interactions where you find love, support, and joy. It is through relationships where you grow, learn, and evolve into the person you are meant to be.

Who do I have positive relationships with?

My Parents: My parents have remained beside me through every milestone in my life. Our relationship is strong because at its foundation there is love, trust, and undying support for one another. My parents have modeled the core values that I emulate today. I value knowledge, compassion, and determination. In any relationship, it is easy to let “life” get in the way of maintaining the relationship. With my parents, we are truly invested in each other’s lives and we value family. It is important to us that we remain close for every milestone and memories to come.

My Husband: My husband and I have a healthy relationship that is rooted in our love for one another. Our relationship grew through our friendship and our desire to be in each other’s company. We have common values that we embed in our lives as we build a family. We value patience, a thirst for knowledge, and adventure. At times there are disagreements just like there are in any relationships. But what keeps our relationship strong is that we are dedicated to each other. As our responsibilities grow, we become partners. We work with each other, share tasks, communicate, and remain loyal to each other.  

My Son: The relationship I have with my son is brand new. At 2 months old, we are constantly learning from one another. The relationship is one that teaches me everyday and is driven by my undying love for him. It is hard to imagine what it was like not being his Mom. We are building our communication skills as I work to learn what each cry means. There are often challenges when he wakes up with gas pains at 2 am and all I want to do is sleep. But each moment with him is a treasure and being a Mom is worth every 2 am wake up call. In our relationship, I am the caregiver and the provider to all he needs. It is a responsibility I gladly take on because it is just as rewarding watching him grow.

How do these relationships affect me as an Early Childhood Educator?

As an educator, I am constantly thriving to better my craft and learn from my experiences. At the foundation of who I am as a teacher, is who I am as a person. I am a Daughter, a Wife, a Sister, a Friend, and a Mom. I take what I have learned from each relationship and carry it with me as I teach. I value compassion, dedication, and hard work because it was something taught to me early on by my parents. These values are reflected within my classroom everyday. Relationships are the “building blocks of healthy development” and as people, young and old, we are always developing.