The journey is different with each and every child

Educators' Perspectives

Premalatha S – Head of Primary Programme
Head Start Educational Academy

On the first day, fresh from completing my Montessori course, I walked into the Head Start environment and the children took over! At least for the first few weeks. Slowly and steadily, I understood my place in the learning environment. It has been a wonderful journey with lots of ups and downs, laughter and tears, disappointments and fulfilment, and of course, great learning.

Initially, when children refused to write and would crawl under the table to escape doing mathematics worksheets, I used to feel helpless and dejected. Now I know that regardless of daunting situations and waning sensitive periods, children will learn and their learning curve will be set by them.

My journey has been different with each and every child and I cherish all of them. One journey that will always be extra special to me is the one I shared with our first batch of children who graduated from Head Start Educational Academy. Though I taught them several years ago, when they come looking for me in the Primary block and greet me with a hug, I become emotional. That is the power of the bond you develop with children.

Our care of the child should be governed, not by the desire to make them learn things, but by the endeavour to always keep burning within them that light called intelligence.
– Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind