A Child's Opportunity to Experience Childhood

"Stretch your child's powers by giving him an opportunity to express himself in a wide variety of activities. You aren't stuffing him into a preconceived mold of what your son or daughter ought to be. You are helping your child know more about himself and his relationship to those close to him and to the whole world to which he must relate. The creative process that you are aware of, the exposure to so many important, vital experiences, must always be a part of play, of fun, for your child. This is his only childhood."

Marlene LeFever, Growing Creative Children
page 14

Benefit of Natural Situations and Opportunities to Explore

“Parents should also question much of the contemporary emphasis on special materials and equipment for learning in a child's environment. A clutter of toys can be more confusing than satisfying to a child. On the other hand, natural situations, with opportunities to explore, seldom overstimulate or trouble a small child. Furthermore, most children will find greater satisfaction and demonstrate greater learning from things they make and do with their parents or other people than from elaborate toys or learning materials. And there is no substitute for solitude - in the sand pile, mud puddle, or play area - for a young child to work out his own fantasies. Yet this privilege is often denied in our anxiety to institutionalize children.” 

Raymond S. Moore, School Can Wait