What if we paused and looked at play differently?
What if we paused and looked at play differently? A big question that has me thinking about how we often feel the need to entertain our children. Do you feel compelled to fill every moment with activities and plans? How comfortable are you with the times when boredom creeps into your child’s play? Here’s what 29 years of teaching Kindergarten and raising two beautiful children has taught me. When children are given time, space, and thoughtfully chosen materials, something magical happens. They begin to follow their own curiosity. They test ideas. They push through periods of boredom with innate wonder and perseverance. Self-directed play where children can expand their ideas, gather materials, and play with intention doesn’t just happen. It begins with trusting that children are capable of leading their own play and learning when the environment invites exploration and imagination. When we create space and time for uninterrupted play, children don't need us to direct the experienc...
