“When you do manage to tune into children’s thinking and free yourself from feeling the need to comment and label, your horizons begin to expand in surprising ways. The more you can learn about children’s thoughts, feelings, and ideas—and take pleasure in doing so—the more clearly you realize what you can do to encourage curiosity and nurture imagination.”

“You can’t begin to respond supportively to children’s spontaneous play unless you believe in its value. Understanding what play is for a child and being able to stand back is what matters. Being aware that play is a source of wonderful possibilities, which only become apparent once play has begun, can lead you to fascinating discoveries.”

“The warmth of a listening presence does much to keep young children engaged in whatever they’re playfully doing. I become more in tune with the children and more aware of their potential, while my attention encourages them to persists in whatever they’re doing far more effectively than words of praise ever could.”