A child needs a "holding environment"—a physical and emotional space where they feel safe enough to take risks.
In play, we can be anything. We can destroy, create, and experiment without real-world consequences. This "doing" allows us to discover who we are without the pressure of having to "be" something for someone else. 3. Finding the True Self (Authenticity) Attachment, Play, and Authenticity: A Winnicott...
Authenticity is a byproduct of feeling safe. When we have a secure "holding" (Attachment) and the freedom to experiment (Play), we no longer need to hide behind a mask. We become "real" to ourselves and others. A child needs a "holding environment"—a physical and