For the past 7 years, I have been working for Kamehameha Schools on the island of Kaua`i. I teach 3 year old keiki. Our program is free. Yes, free. As a free school, we do give preference to Hawaiian keiki. The reason for this, our school is on a DOE site. KS has not renewed the lease with the DOE, therefore we do give preference to Hawaiian keiki.
For the past few years, I have seen changes when it comes to our budget. We have cut our budget to 1/4 of what we have been given it the past. Does this mean we give less to the children? No, we still provide an age appropriate learning environment. Are we accredited? No. Does this mean that we are not a quality program? I guess that is left up to the parents who are looking for a "quality" program for their child. Is our program the best? No. I feel that every program on the island that are servicing keiki are "the best." If it works for the child, then it is the best.
I think what makes our program unique is we encourage parent participation. Once transition the keiki (usually by the 2nd week in September), we have our daily PACT (Parent and Child Time). An adult will stay with the child for approximately 20 minutes and work one-to-one with the child on a daily project. In addition, every `ohana is asked to do an `Ohana Project. For the `Ohana Project, each family will do one project with the keiki. This can be something as simple as reading a story, singing a song, or doing a cooking activity. The parents complete this project between October through May.
However, let me reiterate there are many programs on Kaua`i. I feel that it is a parents preference as to what program will meet the needs of their child.
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In today's article, Carlson mentions rough and tumble play through the (very) physical interactions required in rough and tumble play, children are learning the give-and-take of appropriate social interactions. Successful participation in this play requires children to become adept at both signaling and detecting signals — a social skill they will need and use throughout their lives. I beleive that children should be allowed to play. Whether it is rough or considered dangerous. I think that children know their limits. They will be able to know for themselves whether or not they are uncomfortable with another child. If they are, then you able to teach them how to verbalize their feelings (this is part of social and emotional development). But is playing, wrestling, chasing, and tumbling considered rough? Why? How decides if it is rough?
ReplyDeleteHi U'ilani,
ReplyDeleteI would love to come and visit where you work. It sounds like a great program for family to connect with their child in a school setting. Do all families really spend 20 minutes a day with their child doing a project? Most of our families have jobs to go to and sometimes in such a rush that they don't realize that their rushing their child? If a parent doesn't have the time, can it be made up some other way? or is this manditory? I remember when my daughter was in HeadStart I needed to put in some time but it wasn't every day and it was at my pace and availablity and also if I couldn't be in the classroom they gave me opportunities to make it up by doing take home projects.
I do think that children should be able to play at their speed. If a child wants to wrestle, chase, or tumble - let them. I believe that if the teacher is qualified they would be able to have control over the situation. As for me, I'm not allowed to let children play this way. The children also can't push each other on the swing or climb the slide from the bottom up. Why not? These are different types of skills that they could learn and if it's done where no one is getting hurt, I say again why not?
I'm hoping that at the next HAEYC conference there will be a class or two on this subject. I would be very interested in taking it.
Aloha U1i,
ReplyDeleteI finally got to see your blogs.
I too would like to visit your school. I have heard and do not know if it is true but do you use things from the environment rather than buying materials etc. from catalogs? I have been looking into that because we do buy many things from the catalogs, but I do not think that it is relevant to Hawaii's "cultures".
You asked me what was my take on what a "quality program" was. What is your belief on what a quality program is ? Do you think that structural quality or process quality is more important or does both have equal relevance to quality?
What are the benefits to the child, parent, and family having a specific amount of time in the classroom? Do all caregivers participate?
OOps the children are waking up time to go!
Talk to you soon.
Susan, yes families do spend 20 minutes a day with their children. This year we have a 100% participation. However, if a parent is unable to stay they have two choices- 1. either take the project home or 2. do the project with a teacher. No. It is not mandatory for the parents to stay for PACT.
ReplyDeleteI do allow the children to play actively with one another, just as long as they are not endangering themselves or others. For instance, some children will use shovels to dig in the sand. Well soon enough, the shovels turn into swords. Is that allowed? No, because we encourage the children that weapons are not allowed in school. We do have equipment and a tree that we allow the children to climb. Is it safe? No, but we guide them and provide them that opportunity to take a risk. They will try to climb the tree, if they are unsuccessful you will see them trying again the next day.
We would love to have you come to observe.
Aloha Aunty Val,
ReplyDeleteI would love for you to come and visit us. Please come by anytime. Yes, we do buy our materials from the catalogs. I do agree that the materials that are sold are not culturally sensitive for our keiki. This year we are doing something very different because of financial equallibrium our budget has been cut by 1/4. Then, next year it will be cut again.
What am I doing different? For one, not stocking up on extra materials. I am trying to reuse what we already have and recycle materials that can be reused.
I think coming from a DOE setting, I am use to not having a large budget. It does not effect me.
My belief in a quality program is what is meaningful for the child. There is not one program on the the island that is "the best." I think all of the programs are "the best!" I feel that parents need to find a program that will meet the needs for their child to be successful. For me, that is quality care.
I don't think that structural quality is relevent in a program. You can have a program in a gymnasium, that can be successful. Or maybe a child may need a setting with process quality.
Once again, I don't that one program is better than the other. I strongly believe that every parent needs to know their child, decide what wil make their child successful, and then see if they child is able to participate in the chosen program.