Training tiny tots

PLAY COOP is a pre school for kids between the ages of two and four. Established in 1984 by Princess Naik, the school recently moved to more spacious surroundings at Adyar. If educators believe that children learn through play, then at Play Coop they learn!

A large, airy workplace and three activity rooms ensure that kids have adequate place. Colourful apparatus and educational aids are neatly staked on the tables, all within the reach of those tiny hands.The apparatus forms part of the Montessori equipment, though the method used is different. The children are guided through a variety of activities to develop eye-hand coordination, fine motor control, cognitive and verbal skills. Paper cutting and pasting, colouring, clay modelling and sandplay form a part of the daily routine.

On November 19, parents were invited to participate in a discussion. Mr. T. T. Srinath, a management consultant, moderated the discussion. Celebrating a child's birthday featured prominently in the discussion. Most agreed that social skills were best imbibed through such events, though the scale and nature of entertainment provided would depend on the individual. It was agreed that spending lavishly on such occasions was not acceptable, as children would make heavier demands on parents.

Forgotten is the age and time when the celebration began with the ritual oil bath followed by an offering to the family deity, and the child received the blessings of the elders in the family. Much later came the celebration with family and friends. Cutting the cake and the jingle itself are of more recent origin. Now it appears, even a party with lots of eats, well planned games, and lots of fun is not enough! Most parents assembled there felt that a return gift was a social necessity. Children had to learn to say "thank you" and learn to share with others whatever they could . Here I could not but help share a personal experience with the group. My own little daughter, all of three years at that time, just refused to let go of the return gifts I had so carefully chosen for her friends. I have certainly decided to do away with this practice.

The parents were glad that such a discussion had been organised and looked forward to other such events and their involvement in the activities of the school

Such interaction and participation was a welcome change from the usual PTA meetings conducted in schools.

Preschools such as Play Coop will go a long way in making the transition from home to school a lot easier for the little ones

SHUBA SUBRAMANIUM

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