Janet Lansbury – Yes Space

In the linked transcript, Janet Lansbury dives into what a true Yes Space is. She discusses the importance of creating safe, enclosed spaces for children to explore. Knowing that the space is safe allows the adults to step back, do other things, take care of themselves, or just observe the child or children playing.

“Magda Gerber’s requirement for a 100% safe place was: if for some reason the parent or the caregiver got locked out of the house for four hours, the child would be safe. The child would probably not be happy. The parent or caregiver would definitely not be happy about that, but they would be safe. That was her standard, because safety is always number one.”

We don’t try to engage them. We don’t try to set up special play and get them to do it. We just use it as time to be.

Janet Lansbury