“See the forest for the trees” (proverb)

To explain how play can be used to engage, empower, and connect all partners of the educational community by inspiring collaboration, leadership, activism, and transformative change.

While considering my third goal, I discovered a proverb and several quotes about seeing the big picture, working together, and the power of the collective. These ideas inspired me to relate the symbiotic nature of the forest ecosystem to the importance of connection and collaboration between all partners of the educational community. As I explored the biological phenomenon of symbiosis, I learned about the benefits to these mutual relationships. In nature, many living organisms, like trees, can survive alone; however, can thrive when working with other organisms. I believe that this concept can be applied to children, families, and other members of the educational community as we create and work towards shared visions.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” (Helen Keller)

This idea of symbiosis demonstrates the benefits of taking a collaborative, inclusive and equitable approach to education (Woodrow & Busch, 2008). Play offers a naturally spontaneous, multidimensional, and accessible way to provide learning and leadership opportunities to children and other educational partners. In the increasingly complex and diverse world that we live in, this is the time for early learning settings to encourage collaborative approaches to learning and leadership (Nicholson, Kuhl, Maniates, Lin, & Bonetti, 2020). While living together and interacting together is the start to symbiotic relationships, true partnership must include mutual and equal collaboration. Now is the time for social movements to resist oppressive conditions that exist in relation to power and control: colonizing notions of including “us” and excluding the “other” – to allow for alternate truths (Moss, 2017). Symbiosis exclusively refers to relationships that are mutually benefiting, therefore, we must ensure children and all members of the educational community have access to, are able to participate in, and benefit from these interactions (Jones, Richardson, & Powel, 2019). Together, we can work towards future building with actions that are open-ended, open-minded, and open-hearted (Moss, 2017).

Artifacts for Goal 3: Empower

Reaching Out ~ Extending Branches