My Connection To Play

“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.” 
― Rachel Carson

(As a 4 or 5 year olds child to have an adult excited about rediscovering nature and be as enthusiastic as a child about the wonders and endless creative play is it for me. When that adults allows the safe space for a child to explore on their own or accompanied, is play.)

“Play is the highest form of research.” ~ Albert Einstein.

Tools to extend play out on the woods, scarves and buckets

In the scenario, a reflection of play as a 4 or 5 year old, I would choose to be in the woods but would want an adult in the area for the secure feeling. The items I would like to have with me are a bucket or two and many old scarves and maybe an old spoon. When it comes to constructing a fort with large sticks if my friends and I couldn’t figure out how to tie scarves to secure the sticks we would ask for help. The scarves could become capes, shelter, blankets, bandages for injuries or anything. The buckets could be stools, salad bowls, tables, the skys the limit. But for the most part I would want the adult to be there but allow dramatic play to create itself. 

As a child this experiences would be thrilling, the unknown of what will develop in our play, the independence to create and be, and the mystery and discovery of what nature reveals. This is how play was for me as a child and all the feelings come back, the love of natural spaces has stuck and the freedom has left me feeling that everything is a gift. Play now a days does not always have the gift of time as it did in my childhood, but my mothers job was at home with the children. When my children were growing up of course I was a mom, but I worked so time was more limited, nature play was very intentional and took the place of soccer practice and other organized activities.  Also the secure natural spaces are becoming fewer and fewer, if city playgrounds were converted into naturalized play spaces children would have the same feeling of being in the woods close to home. Children don't need a big space, they need time and safety to explore those natural spaces because in play "its only natural".

                                                   

Relationship Reflection

It is difficult for me to identify the positive relationships in my life, because through the years they have all become positive very important partnerships for me. 

My husband and children have been and amazing wealth of love lessons and encouragement, now that they are all adults our relationship has shifted to mutual caring and joy. As my family grows so does the love and respect.

Another powerful relationship is one with my brothers and sisters, this is my oldest sister Jamie with whom there is a special bond beyond any friendship. Now that our parents have past the evolution I see in my 7 brothers and sisters is beautiful, we are becoming the elders. Jamie and I share the spirit of the earth and yes that is a wolf by her side, we frequent a wolf rescue among other profound experiences.

My backyard. Nature is a relationship that I can not do with out, it is stunning, harsh, it moves slowly, it calms me, it breaths life into me and it inspires me. Nature keeps me flexible, challenged and I want to share this relationship with everyone I possible can. No matter what your backyard looks like nature exists in every blade of grass, rock and insect. 

My husband of 30 years. This is a relationship that no words do justice, there are challenges sometimes on a daily basis, there is growth and comfort within each year and there is support beyond my wildest dreams.

I have learned through the years that each relationship I encounter is a positive one, I know that sounds unrealistic but true. I learned the most for a coworker that was so very hard to work with, I had to let her go and the challenges continued. My co director and I did mediation with this teacher and it was a very unpleasant experience but the lessons learned still teach me to this day 10 years later. I learned nobody can ruin my day, nobody can make me feel bad, and nobody can take my power away. I am in control of how I take each experience, I cannot control the experiences, but I can choose to learn from them. This is something I realized no matter how much experience I have or how much knowledge I acquire I am always a student learning. Each day is filled with a lesson in humility which I bring to my relationships especially in my work with young children, families and colleagues.  This is not to say I do not stand up for what is the best practice for young children, my goal in life is to view different perspectives and not judge, that is a tall order and as I said before an on going lesson.