Progressive education for preschoolers
In May of 2009, Governor Gregoire signed the “everything but marriage” bill, expanding state-level rights to same-sex couples in Washington to match those of their straight peers. Among the guests at the signing event (in addition to Audrey Haberman, Pride Foundation’s Executive Director) was my son’s entire preschool class. A parent from the preschool, State Representative Jamie Pedersen, was actually the prime sponsor of the bill in the House of Representatives.
The children were graciously invited by the Governor to stand around her for the actual signing. She explained to them that this bill was important so that folks from all over knew that in Washington, we think all families are important. It was a wonderful, simple way to explain the need for this bill to these young children.
After my child’s teacher was informed the next day that her field trip choice was too political, policies were drafted and it became clear that the school would be taking a different approach to similar events. I wondered how it was that a few families could so effortlessly dismantle good, progressive curriculum. I wondered how my child’s teacher could continue to emphasize anti-bias education without the full cooperation of enrolled families.
The seed of an idea took root that day. In mid-September, that seed will germinate with the launch of classes at Seattle’s Progressive Preschool. The school pursues an ambitious and critical mission and vision:
to provide a quality preschool curriculum that emphasizes social and environmental awareness as a building block for change. SPP envisions alumni families who champion a fair and just world and who inspire the communities around them.
One of the cornerstones of the school’s philosophy is the importance of early exposure to anti-bias education. In fact, that facet appealed strongly to Eric Pedersen and his partner Jamie, the House prime sponsor of the “everything but marriage” bill. Their oldest son is now enrolled at SPP and they hope that their other three boys will follow. As Jamie says, “we were looking for a preschool that would reinforce the values that we teach in our own home, particularly that all families should be celebrated, regardless of their shape, color, or gender. We are thrilled to be a part of this new community.”
Early childhood exposure to such a curriculum enriches not only the enrolled students, but all of us, by ensuring that children are encouraged to ask questions and seek to make things better in our society and with our planet. Children of a very young age have an inherent sense of what is fair and what is not. Waiting for high school or college to encourage such skills does students a disservice. Schools like SPP will strive to nurture that nascent ability and teach children how to apply it to the world around them. Generating active, thoughtful citizens should be at least one of the main goals of any educational program, starting with its youngest participants.
NOTE: Several spots for the 2010-2011 class remain. To register your child or for more information please visit: www.seattlesprogressivepreschool.org .
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