Day 8

Earlier this week I was flicking through a book about playfulness, checking out the chapters. The first chapter's sub-headings were as follows: Why children play | Fostering Closeness instead of Isolation | Fostering Confidence instead of Powerlessness | Fostering Emotional Recovery instead of Emotional Distress.

The sentiments - placing value on children and honouring the contribution they have to bring  - utterly resonate with me. I consider it my responsibility and my privilege to provide protected space for children both to explore and enjoy, with other children and adults whose pleasure it is to nurture and invest in them. 

It's not 'just play'; it's life-giving and it's essential.