In the new Exchange book, Child Development, Bev Bos describes the value of joy in early childhood programs...
"Children are egocentric — all of you know that. They do not have to be told they are wonderful because they are born knowing they are. They are born with an inherent self that is intellectual, complete, an inherent self that can dance, sing, write poetry, and tell stories, and has a sense of delight and joy in all things. Inherently, children are born to take risks and grow to their optimum. Inherently, children have a sense of joy about learning, growing, and doing.
"The word joy will probably not show up in a curriculum guide. And I don't
hear many politicians using that word when they talk about schools and money
and accountability. But those of us working hard to ensure a childhood for
so many children know that if we did not hear laughter, giggling, hoopla,
shouting, and cheering in our centers we couldn't go on. It is the joy of
each child that keeps us doing what we do."
http://www.rethinkingschools.org/