“Now in myth and ritual the great instinctive forces of civilized life have their origin: law and order, commerce and profit, craft and art, poetry, wisdom and science. All are rooted in the primeval soil of play.” ― Johan Huizinga, Dutch historian My mother specialized in early childhood development, which I count as one of …
"The finest triumph of civilization, in every phase of human activity, is the tearing down of walls of separation, aloofness and antagonism between nations, classes and individuals. Commerce has done much, the telegraph, the telephone and wireless have had their part, increased travel and the spread of education have also been factors in sapping to …
"There are times in the life of all when, weak and worn with the struggle, the ebb-tide of hope seems to carry out with it all inspiration, all impulse, all incentive. In the darkest night of a great loss, a paralyzing pain, or a voiceless grief we seem to lose our very bearings on life, …
"It is a greater mistake to err in purpose, in aim, in principle, than in our method of attaining them. The method may readily be modified; to change the purpose may upset the whole plan of our life. It is easier in mid-ocean to vary the course of the ship than to change the cargo." …
"The lack of emotional security of our American young people is due, I believe, to their isolation from the larger family unit. No two people - no mere father and mother - as I have often said, are enough to provide emotional security for a child. He needs to feel himself one in a world …
"You are worried about seeing him spend his early years in doing nothing. What! Is it nothing to be happy? Nothing to skip, play, and run around all day long? Never in his life will he be so busy again." ~ Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Emile, 1762 Having had a chance to spend the entire day with my …
"To see things in the seed, that is genius." ~ Lao Tzu My son asked me a series of questions about seeds on the "Daddy Bus" ride to school yesterday morning that got me thinking. It began with "Where do seeds at the garden store come from, Daddy?" "The kind in the little packets?" I …
Scanning my instruments gives me peace as I cruise at nearly three miles above safety of terra firma through billowy and bouncy cumulus clouds. The clouds issue a sinister smile as I enter their mouths and while in their belly I feel almost entirely at their mercy, but for the tenuous grasp of control I …
Whenever I travel with my sons (now aged 4 and 5), I have the unique pleasure of watching them assist the bell hop with the luggage cart. The spirit of service is strong with them as it is with most children of their age and I have yet to see a bell hop refuse their …
Taking Time to Grow by Mary Mapes Dodge ‘Mamma! mamma!’ two eaglets cried, ‘To let us fly you’ve never tried. We want to go outside and play; We’ll promise not to go away.’ The mother wisely shook her head: ‘No, no, my dears. Not yet,’ she said. ‘But mother, dear,’ they called again, ‘We want …
Gregory Hake 