To school....

It is only 2 weeks until my daughter starts school and we are ready. Matilda has been ready for sometime and I marvel at her readiness. Socially she has demonstrated her ability to get on with a wide range of people and seems popular with a range of people during our prep play catch ups. Toward the end of last year I did not have any apprehension to her finishing kinder and heading to school although I did worry that she would be bullied a little as she did not stand up for what she really believed. After a few months of her knowing she is off to school that is no longer a problem....

The hope I have for Matilda is that she finds school enriching for her socially and academically. School will be a safe place for her to develop relationships with her peers and adult educators. The stuff they do at school is incidental yet knowing the schools program I know she will be challenged as well as finding success in what she does.

The "mean girl" thing is a worry. Unlike boys girls are social centric and have the vocab which is capable of hurting more than a punch or tussle. I feel that Matilda will have the self belief and confidence to deal well with this but might need some help along the way.

So I look back at the little girl I met five and a half year ago and smile for our time together has been dynamic, refreshing, challenging but most of all a pure enjoyment.

School Report and Holiday time

Having studied VEL's (http://vels.vcaa.vic.edu.au/)during my Dip-Ed and using them report on my students last year I find it amusing to see my own child's school report. As a parent you instinctively know (or hopefully do) the personality, learning type and intelligence of your child. But does his/her teacher? In the Steiner system (state and private) children have the same teacher from class 1-8. Some schools will do a split (1-3/4, 4/5-8) if a teacher has a particular strength of understanding for junior or middle school years. SO at the start of this year when introduced to Felix's teacher I naturally sussed her out. I felt reassured by her academic understanding and found she was more math confident than most primary school teachers which was refreshing. She was honest and did not presume to know everything but her openness to learn was outstanding. I have always believed that learning how to learn is a skill children need to see for themselves through experience and example.
But would this new teacher really understanding Felix?
His school report has expressed Felix perfectly. A team leader, confident, a wild imagination which is contagious, puts in 100% effort and wonderful behaviour. Felix's VEL's levels at at the standard or above the standard required for a year 1 student. This is Felix to a tee. Felix is my "easy" go lucky child. My Matilda on the other hand is hard work but her character is wonderful. She is tenacious, strong and more intelligent academically than me (& Felix). This for a 4 year old can be hard work to keep your emotions and self in check socially. She reminds me so much of my brother who unfortunately had a rocky time at school and I know that the sussing out of her teachers in the years to come will be incredibly important to ensure that she is guided and not squeezed into conforming with school. My confidence in the school is strong for the primary school years and our plan is for the children to move into other schools at class 5, 7 or 9 level depending on their needs. Now for some school holiday adventures to enrich imagination, refuel the bodies and bond as family unit once again.

Fairy Blankets

I hand Felix a new scrap book. "Has it got fairy blankets" he enthusiastically exclaims. My mind darts around lost for a microsecond and I respond "no sorry not this on". He seems unfazed and merrily open the new scrap book and starts his "school" work. Michael looks at me and asks "what are fairy blankets?" "Ahh you are not a Steiner kid! The tissue paper between drawing paper in main lesson books from school", I respond.

Following a dream

Life is wonderfully exciting. We have had a busy few months: selling our home, buying a new one, new school and ballet school for Felix, Kinder for Tilda, job for me. Michael and I have dreamt about having an inner city life surrounded by like minded families. On Saturday we had the prep picnic where we met with the families and children who Felix will be at school with the next 7 years and beyond. What relief I felt. I walked into a beautiful school garden where I did not have to defend who or what I believed in. All these parents believe in quality, child centered and nourishing education. Children ride bikes, eat organic food and dress up. All these children were confident empowered young people and yet they are protected from the ugliness of society. No competition just a sense of belonging and safety. Wow this all seems like a dream but in fact it is our reality.

A Letter

My heart pounds a letter from the primary school arrives. Did we get a place or have we missed out. My head spins. But I am relieved when I see there is the prep transition program inside. Wow my first baby is going to start school. Although a milestone he is ready as are we.

I wish I was going back to school. His new year is still based on play so no formal reading or writing, but instead school will foster a love for story and play. I did worry about this delayed reading and writing philosophy when I first encountered Steiner education readings, but now having educated myself in the philosophy I feel very confident that it is a wonderful way to start a child's education. Having studied education this year I have a new founded confidence in the Steiner philosophy and know it will complement our natural and gentle family framework.

We have shied away from the oppressive and rigid routines we have witnessed in other families and have opted to follow our instincts and adapted our choices to suit our children. I believe in doing so we have well grounded, confident and gentle children. I have no doubt that Felix will adjust to school and flourish in an environment where children are treasured as he has in our home where he is also treasured.