Remarks: August 21, 2002
Remarks: August 21, 2002
Clare Adel Schreiber, Director Emerita and Consultant to The College of Wooster Nursery School, delivered the following remarks at the August 21, 2002, Parents' Meeting.
Good Evening,
I feel free tonight to praise and even brag a little about our College of Wooster Nursery School and to urge all of you to support and cherish its philosophy and program.
For example: In a few days your child will enter a beautiful room and will begin:
- To learn about a red and blue balloon and a little boy in Paris who loved them both.
- To build a dinosaur so frightening it may scare little brothers and sisters.
- Your child will grow his or her own 4 by 4 inch plot of living grass, making him or her forever scornful of artificial greens
- Enjoy the pleasure of cuddling and petting a nursery school resident, Minnie, the Guinea, thus learning by example kindness, compassion, concern, ways of loving.
- To make a big decision about whether to choose a rosy red or golden orange gummi-bear at the end of each nursery school week.
These are only five examples of our nursery school curriculum which emphasizes a child's right to play. Good play is a key in child development from crib to big school and influences the youngster's ability to learn to read, to write and to do arithmetic.
Our theories were reinforced recently by a new report which says young children benefit by happy, creative experiences, one after the other, geared to their understanding. Children benefit long-term by working and play intelligent adults, parents, grandparents, teachers, caregivers. You may ask, "What makes a fine nursery school experience."
- Safety, first, last, always
- Integrity and honesty of teachers
- Joy in the creative process
- Strong attachments in the school to the natural world surrounding children
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Acceptance of each child by teachers as he or she is, not a miniature fashion model or energetic cheer leader or zealous soccer whiz but enjoying childhood, a precious time to be cherished and loved
In Carol, Suzi, Ruth, Jean, Joyce and April you have teachers who understand these basic needs. Haim Ginott, beloved child authority defines this role:
"To reach a child's mind a teacher must first capture his heart. Only if a child feels right can he think right"
Amen to that statement. So, I anticipate with you tonight the treat just ahead for your child and for you. In a stressful adult society your child has a year to enjoy our College of Wooster Nursery School, free of demanding testing, commercial ploys and filled with time-tested experiences from the magic world of childhood.
Thank you very much.
Clare Adel Schreiber