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Belonging Blooms in the Quiet
What Can Happen When a Child Feels Seen and Heard?
Amie A. Perry
I
’ m packing up my materials after a busy morning facilitating forest explorations with infants, toddlers, and their families. As I put a card in my basket, I glance up and see 2-year-old Noli standing in front of me. I stop what I’ m doing, look at her face, and say,“ Ah, you have a pinwheel!” She looks back at me and smiles as her eyes flick to her extended arm, which holds the pinwheel in the air. I look at her arm and see the pinwheel moving.“ Oh! The pinwheel is moving! How are you doing that?” Noli looks at my face, then puts her arm down. The pinwheel stops. She raises it again, and the pinwheel starts to spin again.“ The wind is moving your pinwheel!” I say with excitement. She smiles, watching the pinwheel spin, then wraps her arms around me in a hug before returning to her mother.
Later that night, Noli’ s mother sends me a few photos she captured of our interaction and writes,“ Thank you for always making sure she feels seen and safe.” This message brings tears to my eyes. The heart of my work is ensuring that every child I interact with feels truly seen and heard. This moment spurred me to reflect on how my practices have changed over time to support each child’ s sense of belonging.
Fall 2026 Young Children 67