Helping Children Succeed at Their Job as Children

Our Job as Parents

Much of what gets children into trouble is "doing their job" in a way that drives us crazy or could result in harm to people or things. Exploration of a new world and testing new powers is not always pretty. Development is not pain free — there will be bumps and bruises and heartache.

So what is our job? Our job is to offer each child the opportunity to continually learn what they need to know and do in order to thrive. If they are to step out and take advantage of what the world has to offer, they need:

• Opportunities for practice and mastery of tasks that support their emerging skills and understanding


• A sensory rich, aesthetically pleasing world filled with conversation and written language


• A place where exploration and discovery of the natural world, toys and games, and activities with machines, household objects, and experimentation with various media of expression are commonplace


• Ample opportunities to use and test all of their motor skills, both large and small


• People who they care for and trust

Our job is to be patient, protective (but not too protective), and encouraging of their adventures, while providing guidance and a safe yet challenging world at their fingertips.