Hand in Play

Everyday I spend with my daughter, I am compelled to write down what she teaches me about myself and the world around her as I get to know her through play. Even when she is playing independently, I have my hand in play, which requires a level of mindfulness that I am attempting to hone and cultivate.

To not judge, interrupt, or manipulate her experiences is much harder than I anticipated.

As an early childhood educator and a stay-at-home mom, I notice reoccurring themes that emerge through the day-to-day interactions with my daughter, peers, and young children, both in the classroom and at home.  

Themes such as acceptance, trust, patience and resilience surface and resurface when I am observing play. Once identified and recorded on paper, I move forward as a better person, teacher, spouse, and mother.

The more I write, the more I realize, the more I realize the more I am called to practice what I preach. 

With a renewed sense of purpose, I join the ranks of mommy blogging in hopes to reach out to parents, teachers, and caregivers to advocate for reflective practices and to provide time and space for play, so that together we begin to make sense of it all.

Note:  Even though I am not committed to any one parenting or teaching philosophy, my work is largely inspired  and influenced by RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers), founded by infant specialist Magda Gerber.