20/08/2026
In a recent post, we introduced PACE: Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy - and explored what P, for Playfulness, means in fostering.
Now it’s time for A – Acceptance.
Acceptance is about accepting a child for who they are, without judgement. It means recognising and validating their feelings, experiences and behaviours, helping them to feel safe, valued and understood.
You might not always agree with how a child sees a situation, or how they express themselves, but accepting their feelings doesn’t mean agreeing with them. It means showing them that it’s okay to feel the way they do.
For example, if a child says, “Everyone hates me,” it can be tempting to respond with, “That’s not true!” Instead, a PACE approach might be: “I’m sorry you feel like everyone hates you. That must be really upsetting.”
By responding with understanding rather than trying to change how they feel, we can help children feel heard, understood and less alone. 💛
Because sometimes, understanding the child behind the behaviour is where the biggest difference begins.
If you haven’t done so already, take a look at Michelle Newman-Brown’s blog, which explains PACE and Acceptance in more detail: https://ow.ly/WkXF50ZBQAw
