DOUBLE TAP TO ZOOM WITH PHONE OR TABLET shine, a set of costume jewelry gemstones, or holograms. Put books, cards, or photos nearby that relate to these objects to further stimulate children’s inquiry. Because childhood is a time when the world seems full of magic and wonder, you can keep those brain pathways growing and expanding by placing intriguing discoveries in your environment. Keep in mind that children need physical and intellectual engagement. Provide opportunities for them to use their bodies in safe but challenging ways. Engage Children in Symbolic Representations, Literacy, and the Visual Arts Early literacy has become a focus for most early care and education pro- grams, and it is typical to see a selection of books, computers, markers, paper, signs, and labels in designated areas. But children don’t just need a print-rich environment, they deserve multiple opportunities to witness and participate in the process of reading and writing, for pleasure as well Magic Garden Care and Education Centre, Auckland, New Zealand To expand their initial representational skills, this center has the children begin to draw their block structures, with a teacher coaching them to look closely at the details and start drawing one thing they see, then the next. Eventually the children learn to move around and draw how their structures look from different perspectives, including aerial views. The process of re- representing an idea from three-dimensional work with blocks to drawing on a flat paper not only presents children with cognitive challenges, thereby growing their brains, but also uses drawing as a pathway into the written word. L ay a Foundation for Liv ing and L ear ning   COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL ]   27