Park your car and celebrate!

Over at one of my favourite Montessori blogs, Montessori Matters, Pilar writes about pick-up time at her school. My jaw literally dropped when I was reading it. Is it really common practice in the US for the parent to sit in a long line of cars, waiting for a teacher to put their child in a car seat and buckle them up, sometimes even without exchanging any words? This is unheard of, even unthinkable in New Zealand. The more I think about this, the sadder I get. It makes me wonder how often parents visit their child's classroom beyond the twice yearly parent teacher conference? What is wrong with parking the car and visiting your child's school?

It makes me think about all those lost opportunities that are so important to a young child. The opportunity to say hello to your child's teacher, the person who spends a considerable time with your child and most likely plays an enormous role in their development? The opportunity to greet your child with a cuddle after a busy session or day at school? The opportunity to say hello to your child's friends, to invite them over for a play? The opportunity to meet and connect with other  parents? And most importantly, the  opportunity to share in your child's learning in a place that is so important to your child. A place where they have build up a sense of belonging and where they are creating their most precious childhood memories for years to come? How is your child going to share this if they are ushered into a car, only to steer at a video screen?

The above made me realise how blessed we are with an amazing parent community at both our preschools, Tawa Montessori and Little Earth. Parents park their car, they walk up the path, often with a younger sibling in tow, through rain and sunshine, wind and gale. They talk to the teachers, other parents and to the children. They cuddle their child (witnessing the reunion between parent and child is a daily moment of joy). They show a genuine interest in their child's day at preschool, either by watching a daily slideshow of photos taken throughout the preschool day, or by listening to the child's stories. More then once, parents will hang around for a bit. They will sit down in our garden, chat with other parents while their children are playing, sometimes even sharing a little picnic. Yes, we dream of a cappuccino maker!

It is wonderful to see our families enjoying our garden. Often the children take their parents on a tour, proudly showing them where the best place is to find worms, how many weta are in the hotel, marveling at the sprouting beans or looking at the cocoon that is about to hatch. Our garden is more than a classroom, it is a community place. Many grandparents have visited our garden in awe and wonder, engaging in discussions with their grandchild about the broody chicken, the ripening strawberries or the emerging carrots. Think of all the intergenerational wisdom sharing taking place!

In our quest to become a sustainable community, our families play a most important role. A true sustainable community nurtures nature AND people, now and in the future. At our preschools, Tawa Montessori and Little Earth, we are blessed with a community of champions, parents who contribute to our preschool by sharing their passions, creating excitement and passing on their wisdom. It may be through felt making with the children, teaching Sri Lankan dancing, making ginger beer (unbrewed!), introducing the children to yoga, weeding in our garden, making paper with the children, taking our families on a bush walk or sharing their culture with the teachers. We embrace all parent contributions. Engagement leads to enactment. We need more engagement to create a more sustainable future. Park the car and join in the celebration of your child's learning!

Thank you to all our wonderful families at Tawa Montessori and Little Earth who park their car and take time to share and celebrate. You are remarkable.

- Anja