We believe in a child’s image to be a mighty learner and a citizen- strong, resourceful, and capable. This image affirms each child’s right to be listened to, to be treated with respect, and to participate in daily decisions that affect her/ him. This shifts the intention of our interactions from “doing to” a child towards “participating with” each child. Calls on us to continually re-examine our own practices, our interactions, and our assumptions about children, childhood, learning, and play
Children develop through universal and predictable stages of play. Educators provide play spaces, supply child-size props that represent real world objects, time, and multiple activities that offer children choices for their play and learning experiences. Educators also act as a co-player and be in a unique position: to extend children’s ideas and/ or challenge inequities, and view each experience as a learning opportunity alongside the children. An educator may explore the socio-cultural dynamics of the group of children with one another and adults
