3: Creating a Space for Awe and Wonder: Holistic Practices and Voices in Early Childhood Education

For children, as spiritual beings, play is the art of living—naturally flourishing from the harmonious interaction between spirit, body, and mind. Through play, the children’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive skills are nurtured. These experiences combined with the unhurried daily and seasonal rhythm foster security and trust, contributing to a solid foundation for their overall development. The holistic approach to early playful learning provides a place for children to develop and grow into the world with self-confidence, compassion, and responsibility for their own destiny. In this chapter, we will explore three preschool programs where children are respected as whole human beings, their souls and spirits nurtured in natural play and how we create space for children to become untethered, fulfilled, whole human beings.