My Supports

I have many support systems in my life.  My husband is a huge support to me.  My husband supports me by encouraging me, loving me, respecting me, helping around the house and with our children.  My husband is a great listener and always has good advice when I ask for it.  My husband makes each day easier because he is so supportive.  My children are always supporting me by cheering for me in what ever it is I am trying to accomplish.  My mother has always been a huge support in my life.  She has supported me through good decisions and bad decisions.  I have always known that she loves me and supports me.  Another huge support in my life is a wonderful family friend and woman who takes care of our children when we are working.  Her name is Myrtie and she amazing!  She supports me by taking great care of my children while I am away which makes it much easier for me to focus on being a great teacher.  All of these people are very important in my life and without them I would not be able to do everything I do.

The challenge I chose to imagine is if I had a child in my class who had cancer.  I pray this is a challenge I never have to face but I chose this challenge because this year I had two siblings of former students get cancer and it really affected me.  It made me think about what would I do if I had a child in my class get cancer. I would need to be supportive for the family of the child and for the other children in my classroom.  I think it would be important for the children in the classroom to stay connected to the other child by drawing pictures and writing cards for that child.  I definitely would need all of the supports in my life to get through a challenge like this.  I would be encouraged because I know my support system would be praying for the child, the child’s family and for me!  Their prayer and support would be essential!!

My Connections to Play

"Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning.  But for children, play is serious learning." - Mr. Rogers

We all had a playroom growing up.  It was called "outside." - Anonymous

Essential play items when I was younger!

When I was a child I remember playing all the time.  I spent hours playing with dolls, riding my bike, going to the park and playing with my friends.  When the weather was nice we were always outside.  When I was about five years old we lived in an apartment building.  I remember playing with the other children in the apartment building.  We would play outside and ride our bikes on the sidewalk right in front of our apartments.  My mom would check on me often and sometimes stay outside with me.  My mom would also take me to the park and watch me as I played on the equipment.  I had a pretend kitchen and I would make my mom all kinds of different food.  My mother always encouraged me to play and many times would watch me play or play with me.  All of these are very fond memories when I think of my childhood.  I learned a lot about getting along with people, communicating and problem solving through my play.  Today children do not get nearly enough time to play outside or inside.  Children definitely spend way too much time watching television, playing video games and using technology.  I understand that parents have to be more protected of their children because society has changed during the last twenty-five years.  I am a parent myself and I am just starting to let my seven year old go in our backyard without me being out there with him.  Even though I am very protected of my children I do understand the importance of play and exploring outside.  I enjoy watching my children play with each other and friends.  My husband and I also spend a lot of time playing with our children and this does help you feel like a child again.  Growing up I loved playing basketball and always wanted a basketball court in my yard.  We have a basketball hoop in our backyard and we love having family games and competitions.  I hope, as my children get older they will get the opportunity to experience the fun of playing night games in their neighborhood.  If nothing else they will get to play night games with their parents!