Relationship Reflection

Relationships

     Relationship is defined as “the state of being related or interrelated” according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. There are various types of relationships such as professional relationships with coworkers, relationships with friends, family members, and students. Depending on the people in the relationship will determine the type of relationship it is. Relationships are important to me because they demonstrate a connection with others. I feel relationships are beneficial because they offer a bond between me and the other person. Relationships are based upon feelings such as feelings of love, acceptance, respect, trust, belonging, and joy.

    The most positive and strongest relationships are with the people in my family. I have been happily married to my husband for 17 years. I feel our relationship is based on many characteristics. Our relationship is based on love, friendship, trust, honesty, appreciation, support, communication, and respect. The relationships with my children are different, but they are still based on the same characteristics.  The parent-child relationship is different because our children depend on us for their needs and wants. They need us to teach and guide them. They need us to believe in them and encourage them just as my parents did for me. Relationships with my siblings are different. I have a different relationship with my brothers compared to the relationships I have with my sisters, but they are still based on love, trust, friendship, and respect.  One example is that my sisters and I talk about certain things, whereas my brothers and I talk about different things. I consider all the relationships I have with my family members to be important.

     I have strong relationships with my friends. We trust, communicate, respect, and support each other. I also have positive relationships with the adults and children I work with as a pre-k teacher. The relationship I have with my co-workers is different based on whether or not the person is an administrator or a fellow teacher. I also have relationships with my students and their parents. All these relationships are based on respect, understanding, trust, and support. My students and their parents need to understand that I care about them and support them. They need to know that I am there for them and want them to succeed.

     I think all positive relationships are based on several factors and characteristics. I feel trust, support, honesty, respect, understanding, acceptance and communication are important in every relationship. I think all relationships have challenges. Sometimes it is hard to accept a person for their differences in personality, opinions, or beliefs. I feel sometimes it is hard to remain objective and professional when another person’s attitudes go against our own. I think in order to have a positive relationship then we need to remember people are different and learn to appreciate each other for these differences.

     I think my relationships as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend help me to build positive relationships as an early childhood professional. I know how important it is to feel accepted, loved, trusted, and supported. I understand these feelings help build a positive relationship with others. I can remember teachers who supported me and believed in me. Their relationship with me had long term effects on me personally and academically. My students and their parents need to understand I accept them, support them, and want the best for them. Elva deLuna, Head Start early childhood specialist, discussed the importance of relationships with students and the parents (Laureate Education Inc., 2010). The students and parents need to trust me. I need to listen and communicate with them to build those positive relationships. A positive relationship with the student and the parent is going to help impact how much they trust me and whether or not they want to learn. If a parent does not trust me or feel I care about their child, then they are not going to support me at home or in the classroom. Positive relationships with the students and their parents will have lasting benefits.

References:

      Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Building Relationships and Partnering

            with Families[Video webcast]. Effective programs and practices. Retrieved from

https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_1373716_1%26url%3D 

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relationship