MOTHERING AND CAREGIVING

The Gifts of Children

“I believe our only hope for the future is to adopt a new conception of human ecology, one in which we start to reconstitute our concept of the richness in human capacity.”- wrote pioneering educationalist Sir Ken Robinson, who’s TED talk on creativity and education become one of the most watched.

The richness in human capacity to which he refers is perhaps witnessed and experienced most vitaly in children, largely the focus of his work- who maybe the antidotes to the pallor that the world can sometimes occupy.

Children embue life with a sense of wonder, and awe, of presence. They are imaginative, curious and open.

Children are windows allowing us to see life in a new perspective, the joy amid the ordinary, they don’t see labels or social status, they see people, as equals. It is in children we find humanity and hope.

By Helen Coutts

16.Jun. 2026

References and Further Reading/ Viewing.

Robinson K, Feb, 2006, Do Schools Kill Creativity, Youtube, Accessed Online 15 Jun 2026 https://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_do_schools_kill_creativity

Robinson, K. and Aronica, L. 2009 The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything. London: Penguin Books.

Image Kim Verdebo