Gulp. Today we’re off to our first day of somewhat school. I say somewhat school because it’s a play-based alternate program, so it’s not quite school, even though it is in a building and there are teachers and children there. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this is a good fit for us. We are homeschooling, but I want my daughter to go somewhere similar to her preschool to play with other children a couple of times a week while I work.
The school that we are attending is a democratic school. A democratic school is run by a group of children and parents and teachers, all of whom compose the school. On any given day, a five-year-old or a seventeen-year-old might bring something to the school council. This could be a request for resources or a conflict that is unresolved. School council will try to think of a mutually acceptable solution.
The school that we’re attending also has a lot of freedom for the children. After I went on the official tour (I’d been there several times before), my daughter was entranced by the fact that there is an art room where she can go in and simply enjoy whatever art supplies she wants, whenever she wants, as long as she cleans up. She was also thrilled with the fact that there is a garden where she can play and a large motor room for small children when it is very wet outside. The large motor room also has pillows, just in case they want to pillow fight. And of course, there’s a play room for the smallest children.
There are classes at the school, but the children initiate them. I’m looking forward to seeing what emerges this year.
Wish us luck as we transition this week from school with mom attending to flying solo for a couple of hours twice a week!
Image courtesy of cienpies at stock exchange.