“My Connection to Play”

If I were five, I would enjoy playing in the home living are where I could dress and pretend to be an adult in high heel shoes, a hat on, and a fancy purse. I vividly remember me wearing my mother’s shoes; carefully walking not falling or stumbling. My mother was a Home Economics person so her hats matched her gloves, and matched her-self covered shoes, a project she told me she enjoyed doing. Just the act of pretending made me very happy

Remembering the smell of the wooden kitchen set I received as a gift for Christmas still holds a fresh memory. We must remember the overall reason for play in a class setting, “play involves a free choice activity that is non-literal, self motivated, enjoyable and process-oriented. (Johnson, Christie and Yawkey, 1999).

 

 

Children that selected their free choice center!

~Relationship Reflection ~

Healthy family relationships help all members of a family feel safe and connected to one another. While all families go through good and difficult times, a family with healthy relationships is still able to interact with one another in a safe and respectful way. Positive interactions between family members out-number difficult ones. Also, having family support is a wonderful “backbone” support system.

Building and maintaining positive relationships with children and with all family members is not always easy. It can be hard work trying to ensure everyone’s most important needs are met. All families have times when tempers flare, feelings get hurt and misunderstandings occur. It takes good communication, flexibility and creativity to manage these situations and maintain positive connections.

Some factors that help build strong and caring relationships include:

• making relationships a priority
• communicating effectively
• working together
• providing support for each other.
  Persons with whom I currently have positive relationships with are my:

• Parents
• Children
• Siblings

Here are some ways to identifying positive and building family relationships.

 Making relationships a priority
Our responsibilities outside the home are important. Likewise, putting aside some time to look after our relationships at home is also important.

• Spend time with children and other family members: Many of us lead very busy lives with lots of responsibilities. Seizing opportunities to spend time with family members as they arise can be helpful as well.
• Be affectionate: Everyone has different ways of showing love and care. Some people give lots of hugs and kisses, others give a high-five, pat on the back, nod, wink or show a thumbs-up.
• Celebrate little achievements: While it is fun to celebrate birthdays and important milestones like walking, using a spoon or riding a tricycle, we can also make happy occasions out of everyday positive things that your child does
• Separate work and family life: Work can take many forms, including household chores, working in the garden, working in an office or organization, caring for family members or running errands.
  When children see you making relationships a priority in the ways described above, they learn that they are important to you and feel loved. Children will then understand these are important things to do to build strong relationships.
  Communicating effectively
  Effective communication means that everyone has a say and is listened to. Good communication is essential for healthy relationships.
  Families can set the tone for positive communication:

• Listen: Focus on what children are saying to show that you are genuinely interested. Give your full attention and treat what family members say as important.
• Tune in: Paying attention to emotions is important for supporting positive family relationships.
• Acknowledge feelings: Listen for meaning and feeling and actively check that you understand your child’s feelings.
• Show respect: It is easier for people to listen and accept your view when you communicate in a respectful and caring way.
• Set a good example: The way you communicate is important as children are learning what to do by watching you
• Send clear messages: Parents’ and care givers’ actions send a message which can be interpreted differently by family members.
• Talk with children: The way adults speak can encourage children to respond or to shut down.
•  Working together as a family: Discussing things as a family is often very helpful for dealing with concerns and finding solutions to problems that come up.
  These strategies may help families work together:

• Communicate clear expectations: Talk together so there is an opportunity to explain roles and expectations.
• Talk about the good stuff: It is helpful to talk about what is working well in family relationships.
• Have family discussions: This gives the family a chance to talk about both the little things and the big things.
   
   
  ~My Children~