Ahhhhh! It's been a long time since I told you about it. You have to be immersed in it to want to communicate these ways, which are so good for children.
Intro: Louis was 3 years old when I wanted and saw (in my mind) a different school for him. I wanted more than anything for him to keep the light in his eyes, that sparkle I've seen disappear in others who were almost forced to return to a cold place, where parents are feared and refused entry at the front door, where rows and bells sit to wordlessly keep the children tidy and controlled. Too hard? And yet...
I wanted my Louis to remain a child (a phase to cherish, being a child before being an adult).
Also, knowing him and having spent these first 5 years at his side, I didn't need someone else to classify him with numbers (and did you know that many teachers come to see me after my conferences telling me how sad they are to grade young and old? But apparently we, parents, demand numbers to reassure ourselves... reassure ourselves of what? What is there to fear? Are good grades a guarantee of success in life?).
My thinking, which drove me for 3 years to follow the steps to see a different school born, followed my experience: after studying in a private, international school, in advanced pure sciences reserved for the top of the class, I was completely lost, I didn't know myself, nor my passions or what I wanted in life. I was brushing against the walls, I would have hidden there. I was without tools for life, without possibilities of interacting with others... and sad to death. Literally. And I was top of the class. Mine is not the fate of all children. But I have read testimonies since the opening of "my" school, and it is clear that many are not well, are not valued, are depressed, vomit on Sunday evening at the thought of going home the next day with this weight, this feeling of not being up to it, this fear of being identified as such, compared to others, ridiculed... I am not even talking about bullying. Did you know that 70% of children in primary school are tired and that 30% have insomnia?
I wanted my son to remain a child and keep the light in his eyes. I wanted to protect his enthusiasm, that innate drive to learn, through play, through experience, by reproducing, by being guided, accompanied... What is there to suddenly want to impose? To impose oneself?
Imagine my surprise when, once the doors were open, I was able to read the testimonies of changed lives. From a very selfish mission, other families were able to benefit and flourish. Because we are very unhappy when our child is suffering. AND a piece of junk can affect them, imagine when it is serious. Imagine when I was able to witness these caring teachers who do things differently: who value every success, young and old, drawing counts, math is not for all children and those who have difficulty with it will not choose it as a career, we agree. Teachers who talk to children, isn't that wonderful? AND of course teachers don't have to be alternative to be wonderful. I always wondered how they managed to get by by taking all that time with the children. And yet.
Ah, I will talk to you about it often. I know you appreciate it and want it as much.
This morning, I was with Charles, in the class of the perfect teacher for him, who loves science so much. A 3-4-5-6 class. Wow, wow. The older ones learn by accompanying the younger ones, and the younger ones want to be like the older ones. And so these older ones don't think they're bigger than the others in the playground.
And my Louis? Secondary 2, in a public school of his choice, I always hope he's happy. The transition? Like for the others. Particularly without a hitch in terms of learning. The alternative makes him independent and responsible. He had to learn what homework and exams are. They serve as my guide to accompany him, remotely this time, a teenager does not want his mother in his class! We get it. I trust him but I keep a close eye on him. A teenager is a teenager.
I will share with you because teaching differently deserves to be known and applied. If you knew how much my film (50 minutes) is good and that the answers to the questions we ask ourselves as parents and as a society are there. I filmed for 5-6 years, from the opening of the school until spring, I invited childhood specialists who offer us ideas that each family can experience right now. Fundamentally, change starts with each of us. I offered my film to TV so that it can be broadcast and viewed by as many people as possible. Surprisingly, the State prefers to invest millions on how we do things elsewhere when we are doing so well here, and already. Everything is there, too easy? Change starts with each of us. Believe me. And let's not wait for the State!! I repeat, and if anyone can pass it on to Mélanie Joly, several hundred, if not thousands, of parents have shared with us the importance and inspiration conveyed by this film. I sometimes think that, since it costs nothing since I'm offering it, could Radio-Canada enrich the community by broadcasting it? In a time of restrictions and budget cuts, and a search for content, attractive, right?
In the end, my questioning does not concern the school or the teacher (I mention it again, good teachers are found everywhere) but rather the pressure that we impose on children, mainly us parents!
Gather around "Growing Happy" like our French cousins do (several screenings have been requested since May). And I will continue to share my thoughts through these texts that I love to share with you.
Watch the trailer for Growing Up Happy here
To download the film on Vimeo, click here
To order the DVD, click here
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