|
|
|
 |
|
Quality childcare builds strength of character for life
Friday November 1, 2002
Roderick Benns
Stephen Lewis spoke at the recent Peaceful Communities forum and delivered
his top points for creating a peaceful community. Roderick Benns and Michelle
Strutzenberger investigate those topics further through a multi-faceted
series on each point. Today, we begin a multi-pronged look at childcare.
Mentoring begins early at Kawartha Montessori
School in Peterborough, where daycare and school ages blend.
At age three, the questioning innocence of a toddler is blended with the
relative sophistication of a five-year old. With various ages together in
the same room every day, a sense of fostering family is accomplished. A
sense of responsibility is implied, inherent in the relationships themselves.
"There is actually less likelihood of aggression,"
under this model, says principal Jane Stewart.
"Mixed-age groups create families. The kids who attend school here
have a positive view of their school, of other people. They work well
in groups and so they get along well socially," Stewart says.
Principal Jane Stewart with students Laura Lamont and Aikansha Chawla
In creating that special early environment, Stewart believes they contribute
to a peaceful community by first building a sense of respect for others.
Through those schools that offer the best in child-care development, the
expectation is that relationships begun early with respect will mature
with respect. The early years of trust and mentoring foster not only sociable,
well-adjusted children, but later sociable, well-adjusted adults.
"They take care of one another and become good citizens of the community.
At least that is our expectation," says Stewart, who adds that when
they have tracked their students on into high school and beyond, they
tend to hear highly positive feedback.
"Their teachers and community members comment on what good citizens
they have become," notes Stewart.
Though the Montessori system may not hold the
monopoly on quality childcare, it has long been considered a leader in
its field.
Developed and named after Maria Montessori (1870-1952), she was an educator,
writer, lecturer and medical doctor. As the first woman medical doctor
in Italy, Dr. Montessori became very involved in the care and education
of young children. Through her observations and teachings, she concluded
that every child is an individual learner and should be encouraged to
work at their own pace on projects they initiate themselves. She believed
that educating children was a way to create a better society. Her philosophy
worked from the basic premise that children learn better when they are
given the opportunity to choose and discover in their own way.
There are essentially only two rules at Kawartha
Montessori; choose the work you want to do and work at it as long as you
want, and that no one is allowed to disturb the work of another. In this
way, a child's natural talents are uncovered, and there is more of a willingness
to engage in all activities because of the sense of freedom given.
According to Stewart, about half the families who bring their children
to Kawartha Montessori early - say age two - end up putting them in the
public school system when their children turn five. But the other half
want their children to stay as long as possible, which is to Grade 6.
Even for those parents who don't keep their children enrolled until Grade
6, the intent upon registering them for preschool is to give them that
leg up in their personal development, says Stewart.
"Listen," says Stewart, as she tilts
her head to the hallways and classrooms.
A low murmur can be heard, but not much more.
"There are 70 kids in this building but it's pretty quiet. We don't
restrict talking, of course, but there are boundaries," she says.
"They show consideration for one another."
Stewart says that in terms of the larger picture, daycare programs are
not subsidized enough in Ontario. And, on top of this, many people question
its quality.
Stewart says that an excellent maternity leave
program should also be built into the system.
"And I don't think we have that now," she adds.
As much as she believes her school is excellent for a child's learning
potential, "parents home with their children is also a good thing"
when possible, she says.
Kawartha Montessori is located at 580 Cameron
Street in Peterborough.
|
|
|
|
Click
here to respond to this article.
|
