In recent years, the field of early childhood education, historically a field fully committed to whole child development, has focused primarily on cognitive and academic issues. From the point of view of the child, the most important dynamics of life and learning are emotional and social. That lockstep does seem to offer surety and security to our lives. No wonder then that many adults are so threatened or annoyed by the spontaneity of young children. The sense of wonder is an integral part of every newborn infant .
Wonder is possible when children are free from threats and fears.
Here are some ideas of how parents can provide an atmosphere in which wonder can flourish in children. Parents have lovingly held and cuddled their child in ways and amounts that addict not only the child but the parent to their mutual comfort and joy. The child feels secure in the child-satisfying love and attention of her parents. Parents and other adults who are models for the child regularly show their surprise, interest, and attraction to the natural world and its happenings - from the movements of a worm, the wag of a dog' s tail, bubbles popping in a bath, the shadow cast by the sun, and a spider's web, to the mold on an old slice of bread. Parents and other adults close to the daily life of the child interact with the child and her world from evident interest, spontaneous humor, and joy.