This is an issue I feel quite passionate about. I think that the presence of 
babies and children enriches all our lives and find it very sad that they 
are so often segregated. I very much prefer speaking when there are 
babies/children there. I feel more relaxed and comfortable. Maybe it's the 
oxytocin in the air. Maybe it's just that the babies remind us so clearly 
about why we are there.

Years ago, the educator and author John Holt came to Toronto to speak about 
home schooling and other educational issues. Advertising for his talk said 
children were welcome. I showed up with my 8-month-old in a sling. As John 
prepared to talk, he set up the stage with some craft tables and a variety 
of quiet toys for children to play with, and invited any interested children 
to come down and play on the stage. This was nice for the parents as they 
could see their children and the slides as well. Some parents came and sat 
on the stage too. Then John put up his podium in the middle of this and gave 
his presentation.

From time to time, one of the children would walk over, tug on his coat, and 
want to show him something they'd made or ask for his help. He would say to 
the audience "excuse me a minute" and pause in his talk to respond to the 
child. Then he continued on with his presentation, until the next small 
interruption.

At the end of his talk, as people lined up to speak to him, he again excused 
himself,  came over to where I was sitting and said "I've been admiring your 
beautiful baby all evening" and kissed my baby (who had fallen asleep) on 
the forehead.

Did the interruptions stop me from hearing and learning from his 
presentations? Not for a second. I still remember a great deal of what he 
said. And I also remember what he demonstrated without talking: true respect 
for children.

Teresa Pitman 

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