Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/joy-in-early-childhood-programs/5010657/
Children are egocentric - all of you know that. They do not have to be told they are wonderful because they are born knowing they are. They are born with an inherent self that is intellectual, complete, an inherent self that can dance, sing, write poetry, and tell stories, and has a sense of delight and joy in all things. Inherently, children are born to take risks and grow to their optimum. Inherently, children have a sense of joy about learning, growing, and doing.The word joy will probably not show up in a curriculum guide. And I don't hear many politicians using that word when they talk about schools and money and accountability. But those of us working hard to ensure a childhood for so many children know that if we did not hear laughter, giggling, hoopla, shouting, and cheering in our centers we couldn't go on. It is the joy of each child that keeps us doing what we do.
Pete Seeger talked about how a thoughtless remark to children while they are singing can make them believe then cannot sing. He said: "THE HEART HAS A LONG MEMORY FOR PAIN." ...