The power of play to awaken children's hidden potential

"A child blooms like a flower without rushing." This sentence encapsulates what this book is trying to say.
Children's growth occurs at their own pace and in a natural flow, and being impatient only hinders the process.
In this book, the author shares the insights she gained from her 30 years in the kindergarten field and her experience as a mother of three children.
The point is how important play is to a child's growth and learning.

This book goes beyond simply emphasizing the importance of play, delving deeply into how play fosters children's social relationships, creativity, and curiosity.
The author says that play is not just entertainment, but an important language that children use to plan their future.
This is because the process of children forming relationships, using their imagination, and solving problems through play is in itself a continuous learning process.

In particular, the author advises parents and teachers:
‘Believe in your child and wait for them’ is the greatest force that helps them grow.
It is important to provide an environment where children can play freely and support them to learn and grow on their own within that environment.
This book will provide valuable insights and inspiration to anyone who seeks to put such beliefs into practice.

During my consultations, I often ask mothers, “What do you want your child to learn in kindergarten?”
Many mothers say, “I wish my child got along well with friends,” “I wish my child played well without getting hurt,” and “I wish my child ate well without being a picky eater.”
Ultimately, what parents want is health and sociality.
However, children are unique beings with different strengths and weaknesses.
Every child is like a puzzle piece, each with their own unique color: a child with outstanding cognitive abilities but weak social skills, a child with strong physical strength but aggressiveness, a child with strong empathy but delayed language development.
--- p.15

During my 30 years of kindergarten life, I have met countless children and parents.
Sometimes we see the parents in their children, and sometimes we see the children in their parents.
The way parents raise their children varies depending on their temperament, personality, experience, and wisdom.
But in the end, parents' hearts are one.
It is the desire to pass on the best that one has to one's child.
There is no parent who has never been a child.
When I look into my child's characteristics one by one, I realize that they are a reflection of myself.
Who will my child resemble? My child, born with my genes.
Parents can help their children grow well by building on their strengths and strengthening their weaknesses.
--- p.24

We learn every day from our teacher, the environment.
Even without words, even without textbooks, the environment teaches.
Everything around the child (space, emotions, relationships) becomes a teacher in itself.
For children to grow up happily, we must not just decorate the environment, but also create a 'living teacher'.
In this way, the environment exists as the most powerful teacher that quietly guides a child's growth.
--- p.50

We often judge a child's attention span solely by the amount of time they spend 'sitting quietly.'
But attention in toddlers is much more mobile, emotionally sensitive, and occurs in a spontaneous flow.
Even if your child seems completely unfocused, he or she may be preparing to immerse himself or herself in his or her own rhythm.
Waiting without ignoring the rhythm.
Right there, the child responds and his concentration grows.
A child's ability to concentrate is not something they are born with, but rather a 'life force' that is developed through the environment and attitude created by their parents.
--- p.88

A warm and supportive environment that helps children overcome failure is a powerful force in itself.
Because the inner belief that 'even if I fail, I can try again' grows within me.

--- p.99