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“Our children need a self to share, a heart that feels, a mouth that tells, and a belief that the richness in life comes from experiencing it in a vulnerable way.”
― Deborah MacNamara, Rest, Play, Grow: Making Sense of Preschoolers (Or Anyone Who Acts Like One

“It moves a child from depending upon adults and unlocks the desire to venture forth, discover, or make sense of their experiences. Play is where the spirit that underlies growth is revealed and vitality is expressed. In short, play is the act of self-creation. The type of play young children need is characterized by freedom, enjoyment, and a leap into settings to explore. They need bounded spaces in which to freely move, with perimeters formed by the adults who care for them. Play is a spontaneous act that arises from a particular state of mind—you can’t teach or command a child to play. There are three essential characteristics to play: it is (1) not work, (2) not for real, and (3) expressive and exploratory. This definition can be used to evaluate what activities truly foster ideal conditions for play.”
― Deborah MacNamara, Rest, Play, Grow: Making Sense of Preschoolers (Or Anyone Who Acts Like One

“The characteristics a young child exhibits that make them difficult to care for are the same ones we will long for as they become adults—saying no, disagreeing, and having their own ideas, plans, and purpose.”
― Deborah MacNamara, Rest, Play, Grow: Making Sense of Preschoolers (Or Anyone Who Acts Like One

“Children are not meant to work for love. They are meant to rest in someone’s care so that they can play and grow; this is why relationships matter.”
― Deborah MacNamara, Rest, Play, Grow: Making Sense of Preschoolers (Or Anyone Who Acts Like One