Really Seeing Children

05/03/2017

“Our emotional life maps our incompleteness...A creature without any needs would never have reasons for fear, or grief, or hope, or anger.”
Martha Nussbaum

"Seeing children—noticing the details of their actions and words and seeking their perspective to catch a glimpse of how they experience the world—brings joy and deeper understanding to my work and life. Over the years, I’ve cultivated the practice of slowing down and observing closely to see the child's point of view. I’ve discovered that when I intentionally share the details of what I notice with the children, many positive things unfold."

So writes Deb Curtis in her inspiring new book, Really Seeing Children.

"The most useful way to see outside ourselves and our adult agenda is to be aware of our own perspective as we relate to children and the daily challenges of our work. Once we are aware of it, we can choose to put our adult agenda aside to really see children. Doing this brings so much richness to our lives, inspires us to slow down, and enables us to truly acknowledge the children in our lives.

"Our view of children strongly determines if we support and challenge them or direct and correct them.

"To study yourself is among the most important professional development tasks you can take up. How you physically and verbally respond to children and how they see you grows from your beliefs and values, your view of children, and the role you hope to play in their lives."

Kohburg - Create a Reggio Inspired Classroom.

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