“A tree with strong roots, laughs at storms” (Malay proverb)

To illustrate how play can be used to support children’s learning, growth, and development to encourage personal and academic success, happiness, and well-being.

While exploring my first goal, I discovered several proverbs about trees explaining that wind actually helps develop strong roots. This concept made me think of a scientific experiment called the “Biosphere 2” (Cohen & Tilman, 1996), which created a giant glass dome to provide an artificial living environment for human, animal, and plant life. In this setting, all of the conditions were controlled with the intent to provide a perfect living and growing environment. All of the living elements seemed to thrive; however, there was one exception. Despite the fact that the trees grew more rapidly than they did in natural conditions, they would fall over before reaching maturity. Scientists were perplexed until they realized this was because the natural stress of wind was not included. Trees need wind to blow against them, as it causes bark to strengthen and root systems to grow deeper, providing support and strength as it grows taller.

“When the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind” (African proverb)

This relationship between the wind and trees, illustrates how we can support children’s growth by allowing, not limiting, opportunities for them to experience challenges. Play, as wind, can provide authentic, motivating, and meaningful opportunities for children to take risks, solve problems, resolve conflicts, and overcome obstacles (Pyle, De Luca, & Danniels, 2017). In early childhood education, there may be temptations to control conditions in learning environments to shelter children from the winds of challenge (Antonsen, 2019). However, these experiences are opportunities for children to learn, develop, and grow – so they too, like trees, can stand tall and strong, developing Growth Mindset (Carol Dweck, 2006).

Artifacts for Goal 1: Support

Foundation ~ Growing Strong Roots