May 4, 2004 - Tuesday
We happened to see Harry's old preschool teacher, Cathleen, at the library today and she asked about how Harry liked the new school. I said he did, but found myself talking with her about the many rules at the new school - from no running on the wood chips (slipping and causing maintenance problems) to no playing hide-and-seek (the teachers can't see the students at all times) to more obvious, albeit constant, reminders about courtesy - and how it was a much different approach than at the old school where they tend to let kids be kids. Somehow the discussion didn't take quite the right shape and it came out sounding like the new school is blatantly oppressive. Certainly, that is one reasonable way to view such a structured environment for kids and I continue to wonder about the philosophy of no-can't-shouldn't, however nicely those recommendations are offered. But my examples for Cathleen probably painted an inaccurate picture and, ultimately, it's hard to argue with the apparent results. The children seem happier, more gracious, and more good-natured than it seems most children do and that's fascinating.

I didn't come up with this while I was talking with Cathleen, but maybe the answer is in assuming three and four-year-old kids might otherwise easily understand the basic rules of social behavior. Maybe not providing the structure and the rules is asking too much. I've certainly heard before about thrusting younger children into social day care environments that they are simply not ready for and the problems that can cause. Thriving on structure is definitely a common theme in child-rearing and maybe this new school works so well because children actually need the direction and constant reminders of proper social behavior so they can feel confident with themselves and confident that their peers will be following the same rules.

On the other hand, since the day Harry showed up with wet-weather boots expecting to take them off and be in sock-feet all day (very normal at the old school, not allowed at the new school - slippery wood floors) I've found myself asking teachers many times "if there's a rule about..." And, this no hide-and-seek stuff seems over the top.

But, we're still happy we switched schools.


Comments, Opinions?