Barbara Kane founded HearthSong in 1983 because of a growing conviction that, "
too often, in our culture, children are pushed to grow up too fast. I started HearthSong to make a statement reinforcing what parents themselves know is true, right and healthy--that childhood is a very special time." Children need time to be children.
A catalyst for Kane was a major national news magazine's cover story on "superbabies." This article, and her own observations, made her more aware of how our society pressures parents to teach their children more and more facts, at earlier and earlier ages. In Kane's view, "Earlier is not necessarily better. It's important that children learn basic skills, but at the right developmental age. Most of all, children need time for creative, imaginative play. In fact, it is through play that children learn most readily."
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