b'thatanadultsapprovalandpraisecouldevergenerate.This Curating can also be done on deeper levels, such as providing anapproach allows the child to interpret their own experience and enrichedenvironmentwithchallenginganddevelopmentally-shareitwithanappreciativeandsupportive(orsensitiveand appropriate spaces and materials, which could be as simple asresponsive)caregiver.Thechildisandfeelslikeagenuine carefully taping a clean piece of bubble wrap onto the floor forpartner and is equally important in the dialogue because their infants to crawl on, which provides a new sensory experience onperspectiveisbeingvalidatedandtakenseriously.Theyare theirhandsandlegs.Deeperlevelsofcuratingthesocial-beinginvitedtoofferopinionsandpreferencesthatareall emotional environment could include providing narration or sports-equallyacceptablenomatterwhichtheychoose.Theyare casting support while the child interacts with the bubble wrap. makinganauthenticcontributiontotheirowncareandco-creating their daily experiences with the adults caring for them.Once you experience the level and the depth of connection that F IS FOR FREEDOMthiskindofencouragementinteractionco-createswithan When we discuss what freedom might mean for infants and children,infantorchild,itishardtogobacktoofferingjudgmentto it becomes clear quite quickly that it doesnt mean the same thing aschildrenevenifitisapositivekindofjudgment,whichwe it means for adults. Childrens judgment is notoriously bad, and theycommonly call praise. would injure themselves multiple times a day if we did not curatetheirenvironmentstopreventthemfromrunningintotrafficbyE IS FOR ENVIRONMENT building fences and walls and locking gates and doors. Freedom isThe Montessori Method is well-known for Dr. Montessoris phrase commonly used in two sensesfreedom from and freedom toandthe prepared environment. The idea that the adult(s) intentionally bothsensesarevalidforinfantsandchildren,thoughnotinanprepare the environment for children is also intrinsic to the Reggio absolute way.Emilia approach, where the environment is affectionately known asthethirdteacher.(TheReggioclassroomshavetwohuman Children can experience freedom from unnecessary restrictions oneducators, so the environment is the third highly-valued teacher). In their physical movement; they must have restrictions like walls anddiscussing a professional approach that isnt linked with any specific fences and locked doors and gates in order to keep them alive, butapproach or method, the phrase curated environment is useful. they do not need to be confined in a swing, bouncy chair, or othercontainer in order to stay safe. Such containers can be unnecessaryCurating means to select with care and intentionality, and when whenasafeanddevelopmentallyappropriateenvironmentissensitiveandresponsivecaregiversplanandimplementan createdforthem.Evenapack-and-playcanbeaspacetoenvironmentforchildren,itisappropriatetoselectaspectsand experiencethistypeoffreedomfromunnecessaryphysicalcomponents of the environment with care and intentionality. restrictions. Its important to note that the curated environment is NOT just Children can also be restricted by the lack of physical boundariesthe physical space itself, but also includes the people who are when they must hear no and dont go there and dont touch thatthere (parents, children, caregivers, visitors, other relatives, etc.) because the environment has not been curated effectively for theirand also the kinds of interactions and language that are used, safety.Thechildisfrequentlybeingrestrictedfromphysicalbothverballyandinthephysicalandsocial-emotional movements that are unsafe because the environment has not beendimensions. curated with their safety and their freedom in mind. Thecuratedenvironmentalsoincludesthecaregivers We can offer curated safe spaces where infants and children cancontributions to the shared experience: words, body language, experiencethefreedomtoexplore,suchasafencedorgatedspacewithnoelectricaloutlets,cords,tippyfurniture,orotherand choices about inviting dialogue vs. offering judgments. hazards. One such space that nearly every home features is the crib:we can leave the infant in that space for hours on end, and they areCuratingthephysicalenvironmentisessentialforsafety(e.g., safe. They might not be HAPPY in there all the time, but they arelocking doors and gates to prevent children from wandering into SAFE.dangeronthestreet)andcuratingthesocialandemotionalaspectsoftheinfantsorchildsenvironmentareequally Thus when we provide meaningful and developmentally appropriateessential for the development of a safe and secure sense of self. boundaries,infantsandchildrencanexperiencefreedomfromThisisvitalforunderstandingtheirplaceintheworldfroma unnecessary physical restrictions and also freedom to explore.position of emotional wholeness throughout their lifespan.DANIELLE BUJNAK Danielle Bujnak is an experienced Early Childhood Educator with more than two decades of experience guiding andcaring for infants, children, and their families in a wide variety of settings. Danielle has been a nanny, governess, andMaster Newborn Care Specialist, as well as a teacher for children of all ages. She has supported families in privatefamily residences, through homeschooling, daycare, preschools, and Montessori and Waldorf-based early childhoodprograms. Her California Child Development Permit qualifies her at the Master Teacher and Site Supervisor levels,licensing her to run a multi-classroom preschool or daycare for infants and children, and to guide and mentor otherteachers in best practices. After completing a graduate-level certificate in Early Childhood Education, Danielle iscurrently completing an MSc in childrens mental health and special education, following the Constructivist approach.'