Why do you talk about noticing children?

People sometimes ask why I use the word "noticing" so often.

The answer is simple. I believe noticing changes everything.

So often, adults feel they need to teach, guide or entertain children. But over the years, I've discovered that some of the most meaningful moments happen when we simply notice.

I've often found that when we stop asking, "What should they be learning?" and start asking, "What are they trying to tell me through their play?" we begin to see children differently.

Noticing isn't about assessing or judging. It's about paying such close attention that a child feels seen. It's a quiet way of saying, "I see you. Your ideas matter. I'm interested in your world."

That's why Storytime Scarves are open-ended. They aren't designed to tell children what to imagine. They're designed to create enough space for us to become witnesses to their wonder.

When children feel truly seen, they often show us far more than we ever expected.

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About Heidi

Hi, I'm Heidi, founder of Storytime Scarves. I'm a Tiney Ofsted-registered childminder, graded Outstanding, and a parent of two. Over the past decade, through raising my own children and working as a childminder, I've developed a deep interest in child-led play, storytelling, belonging and the small moments that help children feel seen. Ask Heidi is where I share the questions I'm asked most often, along with the observations that continue to shape my practice.