Welcoming the New Year: Choosing Presence, Play & Purpose in 2026

As we step into a new year, there’s a natural invitation to reflect — not just on goals, but on why we choose them.

At Mio Reggio, we believe intention is the quiet foundation behind meaningful play, engaged learning, and a lifelong connection to the world around us. Intentionality isn’t about doing more or striving for perfection. It’s about presence, values, and making thoughtful choices — especially for children.

What Intentionality Looks Like in Everyday Life

Being intentional doesn’t require a long list of resolutions. It lives in small, everyday moments:

• Choosing materials that respect both the child and the environment

• Inviting open-ended play that sparks curiosity and imagination

• Allowing process to matter more than outcome

• Listening to children’s ideas before offering solutions

• Creating rhythms that support balance rather than busyness

When play is intentional, it becomes a powerful teacher.

An Invitation to Slow Down

The start of a new year is a gentle opportunity to slow the pace and reconnect with what matters most. Consider approaching this year with a few simple intentions:

Curious Presence: Pause and observe how play unfolds. Notice the choices children make and the stories they create.

Fewer Materials, Deeper Engagement: Open-ended, natural materials invite exploration, problem-solving, and sustained focus.

Conversations About Care: Use everyday moments to talk about nature, materials, and our shared responsibility to care for the world around us.

Intentionality for Families and Communities: Intentional choices extend beyond the home. When we choose materials that are regenerative, thoughtfully designed, and made to last, we are modeling values that children carry forward.

By choosing simplicity over excess and purpose over convenience, we help shape a future where children grow up connected to nature, mindful of their impact, and confident in their creativity.

A Simple Practice to Carry Into the Year: Ask yourself - What is one small choice I can make today that supports presence, connection, or care — for my child, my community, or the planet?

Take a moment to reflect. Write it down. Let it guide your day.

Warm wishes for a thoughtful and meaningful year,

Monica

Founder, Mio Reggio