Fun and games night to boost funds for preschool
To The POINT
With
Katie Poulton
I DON’T know about you but our family needs a holiday - preferably one with frangipanis, palm trees and tropical cocktails.
The Children’s House Montessori Preschool thought parents and friends of the school could all do with a bit of escapism in these tough economic times and decided to give our fundraising trivia night a tropical theme.
So on Saturday August 1, in the midst of wintery weather, we’re inviting parents and guests to frock up for a really fun evening at North Ryde Golf Club.
As well as two rounds of great trivia there will be a silent and major auction. Parents and friends of the school are volunteering their services and seeking donations from local businesses in a bid to raise over $10,000 for much needed revenue required to run the school.
There will be lots of surprises on the night including a balloon lucky dip, a best dressed prize, raffles and even a professional masseuse on hand to undo a few knotted shoulders and get everyone in the holiday spirit.
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THE CHILDREN’S House has been situated firstly in Boronia Park and then Cressy Road, North Ryde for nearly 25 years, that’s long before Cate Blanchet made Montessori education fashionable.
In fact Montessori education first took off back in Rome in the early 1900s when Maria Montessori, a young physician and anthropologist began observing children in a whole new light.
She realised all children from birth had an instinctual desire to learn, and likened their mind to a sponge terming it “the absorbent mind”.
It fascinates me to think that in order to perform certain functions computers need to have various programs installed, but humans who are born incomplete as helpless infants literally teach themselves how to function and in a sense build their own brains.
It truly is a miracle that by two or three years of age children can walk and communicate.
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MARIA MONTESSORI understood that touching and exploring were fundamental to a child’s progress, and suggested that education was therefore best served not by dictation of information but by aiding the child in its own development and discovery.
For this purpose she designed materials that allowed children to explore abstract concepts such as language and mathematics and created many wonderful exercises to aid budding motor skills.
An incredibly compassionate woman, she also understood a child’s need to be independent and realised the pride that blossomed when they were given what adults thought of ‘menial work’.
For this end ‘Practical Life’ exercises are a fundamental part of Montessori education where children are shown with great care and attention to detail how to care for themselves and their environment.
These tasks not only give them a sense of responsibility but of dignity and purpose, laying the foundations for a confident, well adjusted adult.
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MARIA MONTESSORI’s philosophy is more than just a style of teaching; it is a celebration of life itself. Support The Children’s House Montessori Preschool and you will not only secure the future of a wonderful asset to the community but also endorse a generation of children who will blossom with a love of learning that will follow them throughout their life.
Advance guest tickets are $30 and tables of eight booked before Monday July 6 will get an extra lucky door prize. For bookings or auction donations email fundraiser@-bettercomputers.com.au or phone Katie on 0417 687 020. To find out more about Montessori Education visit http://thechildrenshousemontessori.com.au
* KATIE POULTON is The Children’s House Montes-sori Preschool fund raiser.
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