spring
don’t rush me
In my work with infants and toddlers, Spring is one of my favorite seasons. Its verdant transformation and rapid change mirror the flourishing children and the miraculous growth that occurs within the first three years of their life. Nature is enlivened in springtime, sprouting despite itself in the most unexpected ways. From the metamorphosis of the butterfly to the industrious toil of the bee, the natural world is moving with the very energy that we see overflowing in our young. Emergent movement and language, along with rapid sensory development, deeply connect our children to the world and inspire them to explore with every aspect of their being. And just like the flowers in our spring gardens and the blossoms turning to fruit on our trees, we cannot compel them to unfold any earlier than they are ready. We simply provide the space for them to grow, nourishment for their roots, warmth and the love for their growing bodies, and then we wait for their own life forces to engage and flourish.
With the impulse of spring, my family planted a butterfly and bee garden in our yard. Milkweed, Salvia, Lavender, Rosemary, Mexican Sage, and Spanish Marigold brighten our home and are already bringing many visitors. We have a beautiful ruby-headed hummingbird that frequents the sweet sage and, a few mornings ago, on the first day of Ramadan, see what gift my daughters discovered hanging delicately in the garden!