School for 4 yrs old

The other night, my attendance to my very first Parents & Teachers meeting in m's school was a testament that my son actually goes to school. Dropping him at school and picking him up doesn't give that feeling, and I wonder why. Perhaps because I see that he's enjoying there and he 'belongs' there for that time being, so it doesn't hurt me much. But me attending the school's meeting, makes me feel that I am part of something now all thanks to him.

The discussion centred around the school's philosophies and activities. They believe that the children are the 'teachers' and the staff are there to enhance and build up the learning depending on the children's interests. They don't have a 'structure' or institution-like activities, for they don't want to impose things to children and they would rather let the children dictate what they want to do. They are there to encourage creativity, imagination, socialisation and independent learning. They don't teach ABC's, numbers, shapes and colours there, for they rather would foster self esteem, self awareness, social and communication skills that are deemed more important for the children's readiness to Kindergarten (for 5 year olds in NSW) next year.

Upon hearing what they have to say about how they run the school, I actually was moved by their dedication to the importance of learning for these children. So, I must say that I do support this kind of new form of education to the children at this age now that they're blossoming with enthusiam, full of energy and curiosity.

Another thing that I love about m's school is how they are strict about what goes in the lunchbox. Apart from anaphylactic foods (like peanuts, eggs, sesame, nuts) it's strictly NO chocolates, lollies and chips (crisps)! If caught they'll pull it out of the box! Cool! It's sometimes confusing to me to decide what will fill him up during a busy day, but at least there's their little guide on what I should put there in his box and forces me to think healthily.