Article Link: http://www.exchangepress.com/article/a-manner-of-speaking/5011696/
The gate clicked behind us and we were drawn into a maelstrom of intense emotions and expectations, a world where adults and children come together to share who they are. It was the Ark's fourth birthday party, and Roger and I attended as board members, former and present. We were not parents, or children, or staff; so in large part ourimpressions were those of strangers, drawn into a situation where our impressions were fresh. Although we visit many child care programs, we seldom arrive during peak parent participation hours and we rarely have such an intimate opportunity to view what child care programs really mean for families. You already know everything I am going to say about programs such as your own, but if you hear it in a different voice, you might feel the applause.
Annika ran to the play yard gate as her father, flowers for teacher in hand, approached. One father carried his dessert for the potluck in one arm and scooped up his squealing child in the other. How important these moments are for
parents and children. How significant is this place. Child care centers are places where parents and children bolster each other with sendoffs of ...