My daughter started kindergarten this week. Typically regarded as one of those big moments in a child’s life, the transition does not feel monumental for us because Sofie remains at Learning Brooke, the early childhood center she’s attended since she was two.
We love this school.
Sofie and friends: first day of kindergarten.
It provides an early childhood education that blends aspects of the Reggio Emilia Approach and the RIE philosophy (Resources for Infant Educarers). Essentially, the Learning Brooke curriculum values the interests of children. The teachers encourage investigation and problem-solving to help each child develop confidence and their own personal ideas about the world.
To me, the biggest difference between Sofie’s school and other childcare centers I’ve seen is that Learning Brooke children are treated as respected individuals. They are not talked down to nor seen as wild, annoying creatures to be kept in place. The students flourish in an environment meant to guide them on their own unique paths.
The halls of Learning Brooke are lined with student artwork and photos documenting kids in their daily activities. When I peek into the infant room, the babies are gurgling in mirrors at themselves, exploring objects on the floor or being held by a teacher. Their environment is serene and orderly.
Toddlers and older kids treat their classmates and teachers with respect. Certainly, kids still argue, yell or cry, but because conflict resolution is an integral part of the school’s curriculum, they’re given tools to work through their intense emotions. There’s no timeout corner or overbearing teacher who provides all the answers. Instead, the natural instincts of children are honored and in this way, they become empowered.
Sofie’s school also possesses some eco-friendly aspects. Nature is a huge part of every classroom whether used as decoration or through kids bringing in shells, rocks and plants to share. Most of the toys are made from natural materials such as wood or fabric, not plastic. (And you will be hard pressed to find a Barbie anywhere!) Through the Farm to School program, Learning Brooke provides kids fresh and local fruits and vegetables every day.
Can you see why I’m in love?
Of course, Sofie has blossomed there. My husband and I have seen her grow from a shy two-year-old into a confident, independent and loquacious young girl who is already beginning to read and do simple math.
She often astounds us with her wisdom and self-awareness. (“I need some space right now.” or “Mommy and Daddy, you guys need to sit down and talk this out.) She has built a strong social network of friends whose parents have become our friends. (Our daughter has good taste.) There is no substitute for such a community of invested parents.
My worry now is: What do we do when kindergarten ends?
We applied to one school last year that seemed a perfect continuation of Learning Brooke’s philosophy. However, it comes with a college-tuition price tag, and Sofie did not get in. Our local public school is supposed to be good. But does “good” merely mean high math and science scores?
Test scores may be today’s criteria for judging a school’s quality, but to my husband and I, there are other important aspects that comprise a good education: teaching conflict resolution; instilling confidence; incorporating a multicultural curriculum; inviting exploration of ideas; and encouraging collaboration as well as individual growth. These are the skills we truly need in life, skills that far too many adults are never taught.
When most people save for the college years, my husband and I often talk about the importance of front-loading Sofie’s education in her most formative years of childhood. If we provide her with a good foundation, the rest will take care of itself.
So I am glad we found Learning Brooke. And I’m glad my daughter’s fall birthday caused her to be nearly six when she entered kindergarten as it has given us an extra year of quality education.
This fall we will embark on a series of school tours and open houses and hopefully, find a place that can continue our daughter’s amazing journey.
