My Connections to Play

Dramatic Play from 1994 to the present

As a child, I remember being a sponge absorbing everything my Mom told me trying to emulate all that she did or said. This is why dolls were a huge part of my dramatic play. “Dolls and figures also help toddlers, both male and female, practice problem-solving and real-life skills in a safe, fun way” (Brown, 2019). My mother would always buy black dolls for me to play with and say, “In my day they never had black dolls to buy.” I couldn’t understand where she was coming from until I was older because, she was born in the ’50s and wanted me to feel safe, equal and inclusive in every environment I encountered.

            When I was younger Erikson’s stage theory in its final version regarding “the play age” allowed me to express initiative vs. guilt. I would play with my dolls and give examples of humor; empathy; and resilience. I remember my man and woman doll marrying, having children and living in a beautiful home. This was a perfect, safe and happy place for me to express myself and feel comfortable. Today dramatic play has broadened so many ways for the better. One of which is represented in the pictures above. I have a little girl who has a doll that was made to look like a mini version of her. They now have barbie dolls made of all colors, shapes and sizes something that certainly did not exist in my time. For example, I can buy a variety of different foods for my children to enjoy the dramatic play by exhibiting different cultures. I can also purchase different dolls in a wheelchair representing an unforgotten population.

            I hope to see dramatic play continue to progress leaving no population going unaccounted for including every aspect of life. To allow it to be equally available the same way general stereotypes are today. To emulate all occupations and cultures worldwide.

           

References

Taylor, T., & Taylor, T. (2018, September 19). Early Childhood Quotes. Retrieved November     (2019), from https://educationlearningtoys.com/fun/early-childhood-quotes/.

erikson's adult stages. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2019, from   https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?p=Eriksons+adult+stages&fr=yhs-rotz-    001&hspart=rotz&hsimp=yhs-001&imgurl=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-       omyZgGoKBeA/UOi1vXIC77I/AAAAAAAAAlM/4M8-            _5JlPmI/s1600/erikerikson.jpg#id=0&iurl=https://middleadulthood.weebly.com/uploads/ 2/3/7/5/23752362/5369313.jpg?700&action=click.

Relationship Reflection

            This is my mother, Diane Bailey who means the world to me. I will always appreciate the peace she keeps at all times. My mother is the reason why I have a calmness for any problem or uncomfortable situation that may arise. She will never allow anything, or anyone to bother her to the point of losing self-control. She would say, “All things can be worked out; it just takes a level head for it to happen.” In the article, A relationship-based approach to early intervention it states, “Current early intervention practice recognizes that children’s relationships with their parents and other consistent caregivers are critical to development” (Edelman, 2004). In ECE I’ve noticed that the parents who were most engaged in their children’s education the more successful outcome were had. The child seemed more well-rounded, fully developed emotionally, more prepared for social endeavors. This reminds me of how my mother stayed involved in everything I engaged in.

            My mother is an example of, “Nurturing relationships provide an emotional refuge for children, fostering the development of a healthy sense of belonging, self-esteem, and well-being” (Weiss, Caspe, Lopez, 2006). When I was younger, I was overweight. My mother never made fun of me nor allowed others to do so. She gently taught me about healthy nutrition which is a part of parenting. Healthy nutrition will minimize a lot of diseases that can cause an early death. At age 9, I told my Mom that I was being made fun of at school because of my weight. She came up to the school and rectified it immediately, so professionally. I noticed that some family members didn’t resolve situations in the same manner as my Mom. I was truly thankful for her leveled headiness witched showed me that you catch more bees with honey.

            While working as an early childhood educator my mother keeps me in the mindset of. although this may be a big matter to a child and highly upsetting what I can do is show him/her how to resolve it positively. In my mother's eyes, nothing was ever the end of the world. If you’re still breathing, you still have a chance to fix it as my mother would say. I always try to impose this thought to the children that I serve. It’s not the end of the world things can always be fixed.  

          My brother Ferris (in the blue shirt) is and will always be A one in my book. Looking back on my life I don’t ever remember a time when he wasn’t there for me. I can even remember when we were younger, I would say, Ferris I don’t want to stay at aunt Stacy’s house. Can you come to get me? His answer would be, “Sure!” My brother is almost 10 years older than me, so I always remember him as being an adult to me and never a child. If anyone needed my brother's help, he always made a way to be there. When I first started to drive, I asked him if I could drive his car. Now If that was me, I would have said, no way! A new driver in my car, NEVER! My brother Ferris's response was, “Just be safe. It’s some crazy people out on the road.” I remember my brother would accompany my Mom to my parent-teacher conferences. I remember this way back from when I was a child that both my mother and brother always had my back, and this stands true to this day. “Teachers must actively reach out to and invite parents to share both their child’s and their own experiences in a previous setting, as well as how they would like to be involved in the present” (Weiss, Caspe, Lopez, 2006). I’m so thankful to have a kind caring supportive brother. I’m thankful for my mother and how she raised us to be so supportive of each other.  

Resources

Edelman, L. (2004). A relationship-based approach to early intervention. Resources and Connections, 3(2). Retrieved from:

 http://cacenter-ecmh.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/relationship_based_approach.pdf

Weiss, H., Caspe, M., & Lopez, M. (2006). Family involvement makes a difference. Retrieved from https://archive.globalfrp.org/publications-resources/publications-series/family-involvement-makes-a-difference/family -involvement-in-early-childhood-education.