My Connections to Play

v  A three year old child is a being who gets almost as much fun out of a fifty-six dollar set of swings as it does out of finding a small green worm. ~Bill Vaughan

v  Creative play is like a spring that bubbles up from deep within a child. ~Joan Almon

I chose these quotes because they represent my childhood. As a child I was encouraged to be just that, a child! My family encouraged me to play, learn, and get involved in activities that I enjoyed.

Anytime I played outside I had to either ride my bike or play basketball before I went inside. When I played inside I always pretend to be a teacher, I would line my dolls and teddy bears along the wall. I would also pretend to cook before I was able to actually start cooking.

v  In the United States today, there is a pervasive tendency to treat children as adults, and adults as children. The options of children are thus steadily expanded, while those of adults are progressively constricted. The result is unruly children and childish adults. ~Thomas Szasz

v  Children are one third of our population and all of our future. ~Select Panel for the Promotion of Child Health, 1981

These quotes represent how I feel about the effects of little play in children today. Play has taken a back seat in today’s world. It has been replaced by standard testing, tv, food, and video games. Even in the school systems play is very limited, I can remember as a child we went outside every day, weather permitting for 30 minutes up until middle school. Now as I look at the school I see some children hoping to get outside just for 15 minutes. I also see that many children have become lazy and do not want to play, they prefer to sit in front of the tv or they are more interested in adult conversations. Too many times I have seen children being treated as adults, forced to play adult roles at tender ages like 4 and 5. It saddens me because I know that play for me awakened my inner child and has kept it alive, it has been a breath of fresh air for me.

Relationship Reflection

(Telora Thatch- Mother) My mother is a very outgoing person who is devoted to the mentally, spiritual, and physical growth of all of those around her. My mother has always encouraged me to do what is right in the eye of God and not man. She never allowed me to run with the crowds which I’m thankful for because most of my classmates and childhood friends are either dead, in prison, or have several children with little education. As a child I was able to try a variety of activities such as dance, basketball, girl scouts, choir, and many more. I’m grateful that because till these day I still love to dance.

(Thelma Wright- Grandmother) My grandmother has always told me that my job is to be a young lady and get my education. She has taken me along on many trips traveling to varies places like FL, TX, MI, CA, and many more. At a young age I was able to see many parts of the USA, I believe this is where my love from traveling comes from.

(Aunt Von) My Aunt Von is what we today call Ol School. If you are around her you are expected to say ma’am and sir. She is an advocate for education. Before I attended school she would care for me. I remember learning my alphabets, numbers, personal information like my address, phones number,etc., personal hygiene, and many more things that aided in my success. I can also remember when I first started school I did not know how to tie my shoe, one evening when we went over she made me sit at the table and practice tying my shoe. I couldn’t get up until I learned how to do so. I was upset at the time because I was missing my show but that was my motivation to learn so in less than 5 minutes I had shoe tying down packed!

(Mrs. Glover-former teacher)  She pushed me through high school, molding me into a stronger, level-headed young lady. She instilled in us that we are nothing without God or education.

 Because of the people in my life I have become the women I am today.When you are speaking about Temeka Twinette Thatch three words will come to mind; boisterous, energetic, and enduring. I am a woman who strongly believes in her roots and values. I am the back bone of my family. In hard times you will never see me throw in the towel, why? I always have a positive outlook on life. When hurdles come, I refer to my favorite scripture which is Phil. 4:13 which states “I can do all things though Christ who strengthens me.”