Week 2 Blog Assignment
EDUC 6161-2
January 19th, 2013
J. E. Lynch
Reflection on Building Relationships
Relationships/partnerships vary
among different people, which can be rewarding, as well as stressful. This can
be a sense of emotional bonding with another, and also a fundamental source of
learning. However, one needs to develop skills and techniques if he or she
wants to maintain happy, healthy, and rewarding relationships. For me,
relationships/partnerships are important, because they are good for my
spiritual, emotional, and physical health, as well as, building my social
relationships with people.
Presently, I have positive relationships
and/ or partnerships with members of my family (husband, and two children),
and, my siblings (three sisters and three brothers). Our family relationships
are built on strong ground, since they are an unbreakable social support, and
play an important role in assisting in leading a stress-free healthy life.
Consequently, communication within
the relationships promotes understanding among family members, and is also an
important factor, for if we do not have on-going two-way communication, as well
as dialogue, the relationships will suffer. Kumpfer & Alvardo (2003), have
postulated that the most protective factors that families can provide are
"positive parent-child relationships, positive discipline methods,
monitoring and supervision, and communication of prosocial values and
expectations." Likewise, regular interaction with siblings contributes to
the development of strong sibling relationships. McHall (2000), claimed
that positive sibling relationships are contingent on daily time spent together.
This type of relationship/partnership often reflects the overall condition of
cohesiveness within a family.
Relationships are not perfect, since
sometimes there are ups and downs, compromise and conflict. However, there are
insights regarding challenges to developing and maintaining relationships that
I have learned from my experience over time. Relationships involve on-going
effort and compromise by all parties involved. Building healthy pattern in
early relationships will create a solid foundation for the long run. Parties
have to explore each other's interest, so that they can have a long list of
things to enjoy together. Listening is an important element to each other when
a point is being made or when ideas are given. If an individual in the group feeling
is hurt by anyone in the group, he or she should not be afraid to apologize.
There will be more trust, once it is recognized that you do take responsibility
for your words and actions.
Special characteristics of these
relationships that make some partnerships are: Having mutual respect for each
other, since in any relationship, respect means that each person values who the
other is, and understands - and - would never challenge the other person's
boundaries. Trust is another characteristic that complements a healthy
relationship, and, it goes hand in hand with honesty, because it is difficult
to trust someone in the relationship if honesty is not present. There should be
fairness/equality, where parties have to give and take in the relationships. This
will aid in avoiding the relationships to turn sour, having one person fighting
to get his or her way all the time. Additionally, every relationship needs
support, whether in good or bad times, for having someone to lean on is of
great importance.
My experiences with
relationships/partnerships impact my work as an effective early childhood
professional, by helping me to learn more about students' needs and home
environment, which is information I can apply toward better meeting those
needs. I will be able to be an advocate for the school and families to share
responsibility for creating a working relationship that will help children
succeed academically. Moreover, having knowledge about forging positive
relationships/partnerships will assist me in facilitating children's cognitive,
social, and emotional functioning, which have been linked to increased self
esteem; improve behaviour, and more positive attitudes toward school
(Christenson & Hansy, 2004).
References
Epstein, J. L. (2001). School,
family, and community partnerships: Preparing educators and improving schools.
London, England: Westview Press.
