CO-OPERATIVE TODDLER PLAY. 
One Friday morning at LittleBEings 2 just two Mums and their toddlers could attend, and so we (the adults) got to watch, fully focus on and appreciate some incredible play between the two little girls in this photo story (opposite). At littleBEings we appreciate the importance of the parent being present for the young child and this can certainly be seen in these photos. I believe that for very young children, having their parent present as they are learning to socialise gives them instant and loving support that is tuned in to their needs. The connection between each Mum and her toddler is these photos is simply stunning. But I want to add that the small size of our classes at babyBEings and littleBEing matters alot. I have read in books by Steve Biddulph (Raising Babies) and Sue Gerhardt (Why Love Matters) about the negative long term effects of stress on babies and believe our small classes with parents attending help keep stress down for our toddlers when they are learning to socialise. They have their parent to look to for support and understanding and this builds memorable experiences for them to internalise later when they are older. And in our classes the child has time and space. Time and space to move and play, to absorb, to think, to try out, to try again, to be on their own, to join others, to move on, to be themselves and to learn. Pennie Brownlee asks "Can we find a way to support parents in the most important role they will undertake - educating their child to be a happy, intelligent being who can make harmonious relationships and friendships?" I say "Yes - that's what we are all about at babyBEings and littleBEings!"

At littleBEings our toddlers love to PLAY and EXPLORE and we love to watch them!

"Play is the only way the highest intelligence of mankind can unfold"
Joseph Chilton-Pearce

Our littleBEings trips to Cullen Crescent are filled with adventure and WONDER.
When we go there to really cue in and BE WITH the child and BE WITH nature,  what happens between
 ‘child & mother & Earth Mother’
  is pure joy to behold!

THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM
Having been nurtured in the early years, the 2-4 year old child is now starting to explore the world, wandering further and staying longer away from the safety of a parenting presence. To the extent that earlier dependency-needs were fulfilled, the child now starts to bring boundless energy to the flight to freedom, as he asserts his separate self-identity. Tentatively, the child is testing the limits of autonomous individuality; his freedom to want and feel differently from mother. Efforts to differentiate himself from his parents begin in earnest, so the child now needs supporting in the shape of being let go, yet warmly received when he runs back to the parent’s side. The parents act as a safe ‘home base’ for the exploring child.

Robin Grille – Parenting for a Peaceful World