Okanagan Falls Elementary School principal Lisa McCall (middle) and her staff have been lauded for their approach to early childhood education. Here, students gather around McCall for a photo during last week’s learning forum. Lyonel Doherty photo
If you wait for a child to fail, you have a lot of catching up to do before that child sees success.
But Okanagan Falls Elementary School is taking the opposite approach by implementing several early childhood education programs.
Those were highlighted at a recent forum that addressed social and emotional learning at the school.
Parents left the meeting with the understanding that helping children early is crucial in their social/emotional development later in life.
Principal Lisa McCall said many children in the province suffer from anxiety and emotional problems. That’s why it’s so important to give children an optimal learning experience in the early years, she noted.
At Okanagan Falls Elementary, educators focus on programs that teach the students self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, responsible decision-making and relationship skills (dealing with conflict).
Some of this focus begins in preschool and the StrongStart program.
StrongStart coordinator Samantha James introduced a pilot project where parents take home a questionnaire on how their children are doing. She noted it’s a screening tool to identify children at risk.
McCall said they have to be careful not to become “too busy with sawing and forget to sharpen the saw.”
The school utilizes the MindUP program developed by Goldie Hawn to help children find happiness and success in school and life.
McCall is a true believer of children learning the importance of volunteering and giving back to the community. “I’m really keen on that,” she said.
Behavioural support teacher Angela LaBerge said she is working on a “self-regulation” program for students to teach them how to deal with their feelings.
McCall said the hardest thing for children to learn is to let go and move on.
Well, Okanagan Falls Parks and Recreation manager Janet Black and her staff help the kids do just that through various activities. For example, the Active Kids program keeps the children busy learning about teamwork.
Black noted that research shows that engaging kids in play enhances their lives and academic performance.
McCall said every child needs a “champion” to look up to. She pointed to students and mentor leaders Kate and Alice James, and Oliver high school student Sam DesBrisay.
McCall said DesBrisay is an aspiring leader who spent a week at BC’s youth parliament in Victoria, and is now a volunteer tutor after school.
Area D director Tom Siddon commended McCall and her staff for leading the way in early childhood education and being a great role model for schools in BC and Canada.
Siddon admitted that he has a grandchild who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which has proved quite challenging for the parents.
Siddon cited a recent article in the Globe and Mail that stated how environmental influences (toxic chemicals and economic stress) can have a lasting impact on children. These influences can result in affected children less likely to meet the cognitive demands of school, with reduced opportunities in adulthood.
The article also stated that Canada’s public spending on early childhood education ranks the lowest among first-world countries.
Siddon said poverty and social disadvantage impacts the academic achievement of children.
During the forum, several students got up and spoke about the school’s programs and how they help the pupils.
Nine-year-old Maia said she has learned to get along and share with other kids in the playground.
One boy said you don’t have to be best friends on the playground, but you should be nice to others. He pointed out that just because you’re not best friends doesn’t mean it’s okay to treat them badly.
The student said if someone is sitting on a bench all alone, it’s nice to ask him or her to play.
Madison said some kids can be mean, but don’t let that get you down.
Laura said if you’re lonely, there is always someone out there to make you happy.
School trustee Tamela Edwards agreed that early childhood intervention is paramount in helping kids with problems, such as anxiety, which is “getting a lot of attention in the district.”
She invited parents to come forward and be part of the team in addressing these important issues that impact many children.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
