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International Journal Of The Whole Child 

2017, VOL. 2, NO. 1  
 
 

Pictures for Reflection 
 

 
 

For the toddler, the world is a place of adventure, exploration, and wonder. Adults provide children with a 

variety of risk-free opportunities to experience different materials, textures, elements, ingredients, objects, 

and tools. Young children come to know their world by touching, manipulating, lifting, dropping, and 

throwing. Sometimes, children experience by tasting; watchful adults are close-by to guide safe 

exploration. 

 



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Through exploration, children compare. Children learn the contrasting properties between grass and 

concrete, water and ice, and mulch and ravioli.  Even when children successfully use tools in their 

exploration, they may, at the last minute resort to the “tried and true” use of fingers. Misapproximations 

are expected and practice is encouraged.  Making sure you do not lose a ravioli is a natural and positive 

motivation.