In the video clip above, early childhood education researcher and recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship Vivian Gussin Paley speaks at last years Wonderplay Early Childhood Learning Conference, an all-day conference for early childhood educators. She touches on the importance of imagination and play in childrens’ development, as well as suggesting the most important aspect between a teacher and child:

You, one on one, can be kind to each child. You need no permission from anyone to look every child in the eye and make the child understand how you respect him and her and how you want to carry on this conversation, and how much you love the child’s play and talk, and everything about the child…

...You will never do a more important thing in your life. This is the great gift we give to each child everyday.”

Registrations for this year’s 92Y Wonderplay Early Childhood Learning Conference are being accepted now. Forms are online here.

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