Nursery World - EYFS Best Practice - All about…Awe and Wonder

Getting children to experience ‘magical moments’ is a vital learning tool that has far-reaching and very significant impacts, explains early years consultant Kathryn Solly

‘It was through the feeling of wonder that men now and at first began to philosophise’ – Aristotle.

‘Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of Man’s desire to understand’ – Neil Armstrong.

If you work in the early years, you cannot fail to be interested by what fascinates and inspires children. It is those awesome ‘magic moments’ that wow and captivate children, causing their eyes to shine and their tongues to stick out in deep concentration while leading to engagement with a new and wonderful experience.

In a world dominated by technology, it is amazing that we can still be mesmerised by something that is not on a screen. This wondrous experience of beauty can also elicit love, trust and a desire to protect and care for something. This is often associated with feelings of deep connection and pleasure, which in turn has led to much debate.

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