Play is Learning is one of the best introductions to Joseph Chilton Pearce, one that embodies a number of his fundamental themes: ages and stages of development, the model imperative, the difference between real learning and conditioning (the behavior modification and training we call schooling) and how authentic play represents natures design for optimum learning and performance, at any age, meeting any challenge.

Play and what about clean-up? — The essence of all learning is play, it’s how we learn about everything is to play with everything, then the more a child has to worry about who is going to clean up, the less they play. The less they play the less they grow in every way possible. So you have to give it some thought about what you’re going to do.

Learning at home without spending a dime — I think what parents needs to do at home is to just make up their mind not to spend a dime for a while. Get a pile of rocks.

Support for parents – professional help — There’s a place where we need to know when we need professional help and while I think the idea of professional help to me is to get help and move on. It’s not to perhaps stay in therapy forever, that’s just somebody else’s point of view.

Unconditional acceptance — Easiest one to say and the hardest one to do – unconditional acceptance. We need unconditional acceptors in our life, people who absolutely love us no matter what.

Support for parents in crisis — There are also crisis people, chicken soup people, people who show up when they know that you’re tired and you’re weary and they take your kids and they bring the soup.