Children are naturally playful, and naturally curious. As educators, we want to nurture and encourage this capacity for playful inquiry, and even engage in playful inquiry ourselves. But just wanting to have a program rich in exploration and deep investigation doesn’t seem to do the trick!
When we as teachers create the space and support for children to take risks, we empower them to take ownership of their learning experiences and to take care of one another through physical play.
What do we really mean when we talk about “flexibility” in young children? Where is the value and joy in cultivating this skill, both in the children and in our selves? How can we as adults practice and model it for the children in our lives and classrooms?