How many times a day do we miss opportunities? Could we improve this number by being intentional and present?  

How often do we over think and try to control situations where the children know best? Trust them!

While enjoying some warm weather and mud play, one of our older two-year-old girls did not want to keep on her muddy underwear. She was asked to have at least underwear on.

A little bit later one of the teacher’s discovered her naked bottom and discarded undies. She was taken inside to get a fresh pair of undies so she could continue her outdoor play. I observation that she did not go back into the mud hill even though no one told her not too after being cleaned up.  She knew what she needed/wanted. Trust her! 

Also, the yearly debate of shoes on or shoes off in the outdoor classroom came up. I am a firm believer of shoes off but every year we to go through these steps. First, list the benefits of shoes off. Second listen to the arguments from teachers. Third compromise that if children want shoes off they can take them off. Fourth, watch that there are, every year, only 2-3 children who consistently want to go barefoot walking on our rough surfaces.

After trying to navigate wood chips, slippery mud, hot cement they choose keep shoes on. After cut toes, they keep shoes on. The adult conversation ceases and soon children have shoes off in the sand only except for our few perpetually shoe-less children.

What was everyone worried about? Same course of action every year! Trust the children!