I was researching schools and childcare centers with MC because I am looking to work in one. I wanted to see how the prospective new place of employment was faring and what their philosophies and goals are. Great apparently. I have great respect for the Reggio Emilia philosophy and the statistics backed up the approach really well. MOST of the children were in the ABOVE AVERAGE range. The school, Kindergarten and Childcare are all intimate with no more than 33 children per room and adequate staffing to make sure they are all supported on their learning journeys.. the campus is beautifully located in the outer limits of the town with a bush block owned by the school for kids to explore nature, learn risk assessment and have the time of their lives adventuring, stunning grounds around the office blocks and playgrounds for the children to really move their bodies and bring them to their optimum physical development. Also I can bring my children with me though of course it will mean a deduction in pay- to have my kids with me while earning money and doing what I love- pure awesomeness.
But then I broke my own heart. I had no idea it would until after I did it. I looked up my old school. My old Primary school, the object of my own personal torment until I was removed.
A few years ago what I saw would not have affected me. A few years ago I may even have been pleased. All the children of my bullies, all the children in the school actually. Like ALL of them, they're failing. 72% are in the Lowest quadrant. 22% in the below average quadrant and just 5% in the average range. Only 5% were passing and not well. Just. Barely. Scraping. By.
I felt a knot form in my throat. How did it get so bad? Even when I was attending (almost 2 decades ago) kids were at least passing. Now there was literally no hope. They were done before they entered kindergarten.
I didn't have to think long about that question. The answers were many and rather obvious. First is a lack of funding. Our Government gives funds based on performance with the poorer performers getting a bit more but there's only 49 kids. They still can't afford the programs that might really help them and other funds come from parents and donors the parents can't afford to spend more and as for donations- No performance no money.
The next is socioeconomic reasons. Every one of the 49 children attending this school are disadvantaged they have NO ACCESS to tutors and their own parents who (more than likely) attended the same school and did almost as poorly as their own children are doing now are unable to teach them because they don't understand the homework themselves. Many cannot be bothered with homework because doing their homework never helped them so why should it help their kids? They're also too busy working shifts in factories and chicken farms to scratch out a living to support their families- where's the TIME to help their kids?
The third reason is a lack of nurturing. Am I saying the parents don't love their kids? no I believe they love them as intensely as I love my own children. However you can only give what you have and generation after generation of lack leaves some severe issues in the family dynamics and parent/child interactions.
Since becoming certified I've learned to pick it in about 3 sentences and two body movements. Particularly when the parent says "youse or ay?" I know immediately that they didn't do very well in the education system and also that they have a certain persona that they project as a defensive mechanism. Can I blame them? absolutely no. This is how they protect themselves. Except they aren't protecting themselves from an enemy. They're protecting themselves from their children. Children who need to be connected. Which leads to misunderstanding and no idea of what normal child behavior is.
This in turn leads to insecurities and insecurity to behavioral issues which usually lead to the parent yelling and or spanking- because it is all they knew growing up. And this leads to more miscommunication, more insecurity and more parental frustration.. which then follows the child will act out at school also. And then these children will do the same. It's a vicious cycle.
And let us not forget that the people running the show are clearly having administrative/structural issues. Without good organization and the resources to oil the "machine" even the best teachers will not make a difference because the teachers will not be able to teach.
So what do we do? I say we bring back the village. Can we teach a skill? why not volunteer to teach it? good at reading? writing? Maths? It's time for the community to take back it's responsibilities- the kids are OUR KIDS. every last one of them. And it's unforgivable that we leave them behind to simply become the next batch of farm hands and factory workers. They deserve better than that. I truly believe that every child is just one caring adult away from being a success story.
Will I take the job opportunity? maybe.. but I do keep coming back to this conundrum. It's a real pickle since there is no easy fix. But if you come to morning reading you may just see me there, it's a start.
Wednesday 25 June 2014
Monday 23 June 2014
Dances with Edison
This story really began a few months back when Edison decided that he could no longer tolerate being in "the baby class" (church creche) and at the tender age of three years and nine months demanded that he be moved up with the "big kids" (Sunday school/ seriously groovy dancers) at first I just tried to placate him on the issue fairly certain that he would not be permitted since the youngest child in the class above him was six and a half.
But after many discussions with Edison involving him stating "I'm a big boy I need to be with the big kids.. I am big enough!!!!!" I talked with the teachers. Who happily allowed him in provided he was happy and participating which was a surprise and a learning curve as Edison had to demonstrate a new attention span and also cope with more instructions and all round structure. He was buddied up with a nine year old girl to help him and he did well.
But until last Sunday he had never actually participated in the church groups performances. He'd just "tagged along" But a couple weeks ago he learned a dance with the other children and a proud moment for any parent happened- the teacher asked him to come and perform with some of the others. He was so excited that he spent the next week practicing every chance he had. I practiced with him as I would have to go up too if he needed me. We were pretty ready for his first dance by the time Sunday came around again.
The big morning happened and Edison nailed his rehearsal and was over excited that he was going to be "up front" with an audience. We moved to the main church hall and sat in the front with the other dancers. Just waiting for the performance to be announced and then the kids would go up.
What happened while we were supposed to be sitting there waiting is something I will never forget.
I managed to get someone to video the performance but should have gotten the rehearsal as he nailed it there but kinda choked on the actual show.. but before the show.. this Lady named Hannah was reading out notices and we while were waiting for our part to begin and Edison jumped up there where she could see him out of the corner of her eye and he was free style dancing to her words.. what do you call that interpretive?? anyways it was provocative and very very funny esp when Kicky jumped up with him and started copying. I could have grabbed them but they may have screamed so I left them there. And I scowled at them then buried my face laughing trying not to let them see.
The little rascals kept it up until it was time for the dance while poor Hannah, managed to keep a straight face while everyone else was smirking at Edison and Kicky. Luckily she was most certainly seeing his actions as hilarious.
When we got up to dance though- He wouldn't go on without me he decided- Poor Edison was so wired and nervous that he forgot some of his moves and looked like the typical little tyke struggling to keep up with the others.
To make matters worse Kicky had to join us as MC had to go to work on a call out and thus no one was there to hold him. And he quickly discovered the communion table, laden with grape juice and crackers and decided that now, mid dance was the perfect time to snack on said holy emblems. So between trying to dance and defending the communion it was a very interesting fifteen minutes for me.. Edison just focused on remembering his motions like a good little performer.. then we carried a squirmy Kicky back to our seats.
But after many discussions with Edison involving him stating "I'm a big boy I need to be with the big kids.. I am big enough!!!!!" I talked with the teachers. Who happily allowed him in provided he was happy and participating which was a surprise and a learning curve as Edison had to demonstrate a new attention span and also cope with more instructions and all round structure. He was buddied up with a nine year old girl to help him and he did well.
But until last Sunday he had never actually participated in the church groups performances. He'd just "tagged along" But a couple weeks ago he learned a dance with the other children and a proud moment for any parent happened- the teacher asked him to come and perform with some of the others. He was so excited that he spent the next week practicing every chance he had. I practiced with him as I would have to go up too if he needed me. We were pretty ready for his first dance by the time Sunday came around again.
The big morning happened and Edison nailed his rehearsal and was over excited that he was going to be "up front" with an audience. We moved to the main church hall and sat in the front with the other dancers. Just waiting for the performance to be announced and then the kids would go up.
What happened while we were supposed to be sitting there waiting is something I will never forget.
I managed to get someone to video the performance but should have gotten the rehearsal as he nailed it there but kinda choked on the actual show.. but before the show.. this Lady named Hannah was reading out notices and we while were waiting for our part to begin and Edison jumped up there where she could see him out of the corner of her eye and he was free style dancing to her words.. what do you call that interpretive?? anyways it was provocative and very very funny esp when Kicky jumped up with him and started copying. I could have grabbed them but they may have screamed so I left them there. And I scowled at them then buried my face laughing trying not to let them see.
The little rascals kept it up until it was time for the dance while poor Hannah, managed to keep a straight face while everyone else was smirking at Edison and Kicky. Luckily she was most certainly seeing his actions as hilarious.
When we got up to dance though- He wouldn't go on without me he decided- Poor Edison was so wired and nervous that he forgot some of his moves and looked like the typical little tyke struggling to keep up with the others.
To make matters worse Kicky had to join us as MC had to go to work on a call out and thus no one was there to hold him. And he quickly discovered the communion table, laden with grape juice and crackers and decided that now, mid dance was the perfect time to snack on said holy emblems. So between trying to dance and defending the communion it was a very interesting fifteen minutes for me.. Edison just focused on remembering his motions like a good little performer.. then we carried a squirmy Kicky back to our seats.
Having Writers Block.
This is a post about nothing. I've logged on and had nothing to really cover in great length each and everyday. Oh things are happening. Just nothing truly news worthy or even anything I could talk about in great detail.
I could talk about the Child Care Rebate being cut and thus working mothers are taking home as little as $3:50 per hour after paying their child care bills (throw in the rising fuel costs and going to work is costing them money not making money) But that's really the long and the short of it right there.
I could write about Edison and his dance- which granted was hilarious on the day but hardly worth writing an entire article about. (I am going to put up a short post about it though since it was freaking gold!) And I could write about his fourth birthday party being a disaster since no one could make it because they all had Hand Foot and Mouth Disease.. but again that's it. No interesting facts or figures it just was.
Or I could talk about our chickens not making it after birds with lice were introduced to the flock and they looked fine one moment and then keeled over the next but that's exactly what happened, nothing really interesting there. We have one sole survivor in a smaller coop while we work out if we will fumigate and reuse the original coop or tear it down and rebuild.
I could write about Kinder Gym or Healthy Families except that I can only write about my own children thanks to confidentiality clauses and there's only so much I'd be willing to write down about it. Lets face it my kids may not appreciate that later in life.
And of course I could write about some random "hot button" topic (put suggestions in the comments if you'd genuinely like to hear my point of view on a topic and I'll do my best to accommodate as I love to know what it is YOU my readers would like to read about!!)
Ok so.. stay tuned for a story about Edison dancing...
I could talk about the Child Care Rebate being cut and thus working mothers are taking home as little as $3:50 per hour after paying their child care bills (throw in the rising fuel costs and going to work is costing them money not making money) But that's really the long and the short of it right there.
I could write about Edison and his dance- which granted was hilarious on the day but hardly worth writing an entire article about. (I am going to put up a short post about it though since it was freaking gold!) And I could write about his fourth birthday party being a disaster since no one could make it because they all had Hand Foot and Mouth Disease.. but again that's it. No interesting facts or figures it just was.
Or I could talk about our chickens not making it after birds with lice were introduced to the flock and they looked fine one moment and then keeled over the next but that's exactly what happened, nothing really interesting there. We have one sole survivor in a smaller coop while we work out if we will fumigate and reuse the original coop or tear it down and rebuild.
I could write about Kinder Gym or Healthy Families except that I can only write about my own children thanks to confidentiality clauses and there's only so much I'd be willing to write down about it. Lets face it my kids may not appreciate that later in life.
And of course I could write about some random "hot button" topic (put suggestions in the comments if you'd genuinely like to hear my point of view on a topic and I'll do my best to accommodate as I love to know what it is YOU my readers would like to read about!!)
Ok so.. stay tuned for a story about Edison dancing...
Friday 6 June 2014
A fourth birthday letter to Edison.
To My Dearest Edison.
It finally happened. Thursday, not just any Thursday June 5th. My eldest child turned four. My little "big boy" has finally grown out of the "Older Toddler" stage and into the fully fledged "Small Child" stage.
I remember your birth like it was yesterday. Labor was days long, Baby bigger than average, unwanted interventions galore and a rocky start but still a natural birth and we found ourselves eventually getting to know each other though through months of PND and little hiccups as we learned to navigate the medical system, learning our rights and responsibilities and wishing we'd bothered to learn them before your birth so I knew I could say "no thank you" and learning the phrase "they let me" is just as dis empowering as "they wouldn't let me" oh by the time I had Kicky I was ready for them I only wish I'd known before. But you were still here my Edison and I love, celebrate and treasure you.
We learned together how to filter through any and all options and we learned the niceties of the education system because main stream education has never been a comfortable thing for me; though Daddy still would like you to attend school at some stage we're going to follow your lead there and for now you're doing well with Home Kindergarten. When you're ready we'll ask your thoughts on it.
We've seen you through your highest highs such as when you triumphantly learned to read simple childrens books or ride a bike and your lowest lows when you had a trampoline accident and broke your leg and I stayed with you throughout your hospital stay despite just having had surgery myself I slept on a cot next to your bed and Kicky came along too while Daddy valiantly worked, fed our animals and watered our vegetable gardens. Because we're all in it together little one.
I've watched as you've made friends and navigated the social circles we are in. Working out what you can get away with, what you cannot and what makes others happy. I've watched you mentor your little brother, showing him the way so he has it easier than you did- and also letting him tag a long as your partner in crime! I've watched as like me your love of animals has simply grown and you've come to me with birds with broken wings and sick rabbits and helped wash dogs. The local veterinary clinic knows you well and you melt their hearts when you asked to help them feed and cuddle homeless kittens.
I watched your red hair grow long and unruly and then I watched the day you decided you wanted to get it cut and picked a photograph and showed it to their hair dresser and she replicated it for you. You've kept the same hair cut all by yourself ever since deciding that this is "your look" telling me when you need it cut again.You're a very self determining boy. I love your confidence.
I love how you are like your dad and have an affinity for technology- you certainly didn't inherit that from me but one of us needs to be able to work the home appliances and computer programs! Maybe one day I'll watch you enough to learn how myself.
You've been "working" collecting bottles and cans for extra money for seven months and have never failed to find at least fifty bottles and cans before depot day each week. You take your "job" so seriously. But you're a master saver and haven't yet spent your money preferring to put it in the bank and watch the numbers go up.
Daddy and I have seen your challenges too and we're here with you when you face them. You can do anything my Edison. We aren't in a hurry to see you grown though we know you are, Don't be discouraged sooner than you can imagine you will be. I've yet to see the challenge you've not been able to accomplish. And we will be here, doing our very best to love, guide and help you.
Unconditionally love Mum (and Dad).
It finally happened. Thursday, not just any Thursday June 5th. My eldest child turned four. My little "big boy" has finally grown out of the "Older Toddler" stage and into the fully fledged "Small Child" stage.
I remember your birth like it was yesterday. Labor was days long, Baby bigger than average, unwanted interventions galore and a rocky start but still a natural birth and we found ourselves eventually getting to know each other though through months of PND and little hiccups as we learned to navigate the medical system, learning our rights and responsibilities and wishing we'd bothered to learn them before your birth so I knew I could say "no thank you" and learning the phrase "they let me" is just as dis empowering as "they wouldn't let me" oh by the time I had Kicky I was ready for them I only wish I'd known before. But you were still here my Edison and I love, celebrate and treasure you.
We learned together how to filter through any and all options and we learned the niceties of the education system because main stream education has never been a comfortable thing for me; though Daddy still would like you to attend school at some stage we're going to follow your lead there and for now you're doing well with Home Kindergarten. When you're ready we'll ask your thoughts on it.
We've seen you through your highest highs such as when you triumphantly learned to read simple childrens books or ride a bike and your lowest lows when you had a trampoline accident and broke your leg and I stayed with you throughout your hospital stay despite just having had surgery myself I slept on a cot next to your bed and Kicky came along too while Daddy valiantly worked, fed our animals and watered our vegetable gardens. Because we're all in it together little one.
I've watched as you've made friends and navigated the social circles we are in. Working out what you can get away with, what you cannot and what makes others happy. I've watched you mentor your little brother, showing him the way so he has it easier than you did- and also letting him tag a long as your partner in crime! I've watched as like me your love of animals has simply grown and you've come to me with birds with broken wings and sick rabbits and helped wash dogs. The local veterinary clinic knows you well and you melt their hearts when you asked to help them feed and cuddle homeless kittens.
I watched your red hair grow long and unruly and then I watched the day you decided you wanted to get it cut and picked a photograph and showed it to their hair dresser and she replicated it for you. You've kept the same hair cut all by yourself ever since deciding that this is "your look" telling me when you need it cut again.You're a very self determining boy. I love your confidence.
I love how you are like your dad and have an affinity for technology- you certainly didn't inherit that from me but one of us needs to be able to work the home appliances and computer programs! Maybe one day I'll watch you enough to learn how myself.
You've been "working" collecting bottles and cans for extra money for seven months and have never failed to find at least fifty bottles and cans before depot day each week. You take your "job" so seriously. But you're a master saver and haven't yet spent your money preferring to put it in the bank and watch the numbers go up.
Daddy and I have seen your challenges too and we're here with you when you face them. You can do anything my Edison. We aren't in a hurry to see you grown though we know you are, Don't be discouraged sooner than you can imagine you will be. I've yet to see the challenge you've not been able to accomplish. And we will be here, doing our very best to love, guide and help you.
Unconditionally love Mum (and Dad).
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