Author: Hilary Harker

A focus on developing the character of each individual child in a loving and caring environment is the cornerstone of our approach to education. The children at our school act out what they experience at home in the informal settlement.  Attention seeking behaviour, resistance, and lashing out at others for no apparent reason is typical of the interaction we see at school.

It is well documented that in children who have suffered complex trauma during their early years, the development of the limbic system can be impaired.

This can impact on their ability to react appropriately in social situations and they often experience difficulties in relating to others. They find it hard to control their emotions. Staff at the school provides a stable, safe place for them to develop their capacities for relationships and self-regulation. Each child is deserving of an individualised approach to support, with adequate time to practise their newly developing skills.

Of course there will be slip ups, but no child should be excluded from learning environments and connecting with others.

It is 2019 and our first week back at school! The children arrived on the first day and immediately slipped into the school routine that they had become familiar with in 2018. This means that Thursdays are still park day. Much to everyone’s delight there was custard to go with the fruit salad that was packed in the picnic basket for snack time. Through our regular school routine the children have learnt that we take a pause, and quietly give thanks before eating. This Waldorf inspired blessing verse is recited before snack time.

Blessings on the blossoms

Blessings on the roots

Blessings on the leaves and stems

And blessings on the fruit

The beautiful mural painting of animals completed at the school this week brings vibrant colour and the wonderment of nature into the front garden. A feature of the painting is that the elements of the given space are incorporated into the picture in a natural way. Charlie and Salie from Butterfly Art were asked to focus on the form of big and small animals in an attempt to help the children visualise size in nature. They have also delightfully captured the peace and harmony that can be found in nature.

There are so many things about the world of animals that are strange and wonderful and beyond man’s abilities or comprehension. Animals only live by instinct and never do things which are against basic nature. This is something to reflect on as we witness the devastating effects of climate change (caused by man) on global ecosystems and environments. Each time we look at the mural we should be reminded that each one of us has a duty to love and protect all creatures on Earth.

On 23 November Occupational Therapy Honours students presented their research results on parents’ perceptions of the impact that the yoga program at the school has had on their children. Some of the key findings were; less violent behaviour and swearing, and children more willing to co-operate at home.  Recommendations included; to involve the parents in the yoga program as they did not have any understanding of yoga, but are keen to learn. An interview with one of the students can be heard in the video which was recorded by eNCA at the school on the day.

17th October we celebrated the Children of Light School’s first birthday! Parents joined us in the morning and thoroughly enjoyed seeing the children perform action songs that they had learnt. Each child was acknowledged for a special talent that teachers had observed during school activities and this brought smiles to their faces. The children were then given their art portfolios to take home and moms were encouraged to look at and appreciate each piece of work that their child had completed.

Tea and cake followed to conclude this heartwarming celebration.

Spring is the season of rejuvenation, hope and growth, and this week we planted new vegetable, herb and salad seedlings.  Our volunteer Andrew Raad delivered the seedlings and with the keen help of the children the beds were weeded and the worm farm turned. With our rain tank full we were able to give the new seedlings a thorough soak. The children are very enthusiastic about working with the earth and watering the plants. Being with nature in this way has a very calming effect on them.

After lunch and to end the school day the children and teachers gather together for story time.  Children experience the intra-active aspect of words, the sound quality of words, the movement and music of words, which is slowly being lost by the excessive use of electronic communications. The teachers at the Children of Light School are serious about nurturing the imagination of the children at the school, even more so because of the harsh conditions that these children experience in their communities.

After story time we give thanks to God, we give thanks to our teachers and we give thanks to each individual child. The children feel special as they hear their names repeated by everyone in the circle. Each child also enjoys a hug and affirmation from their teacher before they leave for home!

At the end of each school day we sit in our circle to read a story, and to give thanks to everyone who has been with us through the day. We give thanks to God, we give thanks to our teachers and we give thanks to each individual child. The children really feel special as they hear their names repeated by everyone in the circle. Each child also enjoys a hug and affirmation from their teacher before they leave for home!

     

The children at the school have generously been offered dental support by our local dentist, Dr M Kalan. Yesterday was the oral hygienist’s first visit to the school. The children were taught about good dental care and had their teeth examined. Each child then received a pack with mouthwash, toothbrush, floss and toothpaste. The children were keen to participate when asked to recognise the different pictures of healthy eating and hygiene on the flip chart! When it came to having their teeth examined Lezaan did not hesitate to go first, and Sebastian was congratulated by everyone when he was told that he had strong teeth with no caries.