Mary Elizabeth Smith is a grandmother to nine grandchildren. She believes grandparents can be the mirror for children's fantastical imagination while gently guiding them into acceptance of their creative value. This kind of relationship can be a child's foundation for positive self-esteem, confidence and building aspirations for turning imagination into reality. With the rapid decline in our planet's environment, today's children need to develop the ability to perceive the world in new ways...find hidden patterns and make connections between unrelated phenomena that in turn can generate new ideas. Mary believes this is done through building children's confidence. Allowing them to freely express themselves and in turn, acknowledging their expression without judgment. In addition, it is important to surround children in an environment that is flexible and tolerant of vague, unclear expression that also embraces the unpredictable and fosters curiosity of the unknown.
