Christmas Party with Sister Ena and the kids

With this in mind, we set out to follow the directions of the women with whom we met at the beginning of our Mission here in Isla, Maricaban. They simply asked for ‘something for education’, and our work in this field has developed year by year until we have several different programs for different age groups.

1. Mother and baby group. This serves mothers with babies from birth to I year old. Educational toys are provided and mothers have an opportunity to socialize with each other.
2. Parent and toddler group; serving parents with children aged 1-2 years. It is sometimes the father who is the primary caregiver in the family, or he may simply wish to bring the child to the group when he has time off from his work. Again toys are provided that are suitable to the age of the children in order to stimulate their interest and to develop skills.
3. The 2-3 year group prepares the child to separate a little from the parents as they learn and sing nursery rhymes and action songs. They get involved in more structured activities such as threading large beads or colored macaroni, drawing, and imaginative play.

In all these groups the children have developmental assessments done at regular times in order to see at an early stage any deviations from what is considered ‘normal’ for their age.

Children aged 3 and 4 years

These children ( 2 groups of about 20 children) are taught pre-school activities that capture their interest and encourage their growing independence. The members of staff are mostly mothers of the families we are serving. They have received some training in Montessori methods of education from skilled Montessori teachers from the International Montessori School in Forbes Park, Makati. These professionals together with a volunteer from the USA, share their knowledge and skills for the benefit of these children who are outside their own place of education.

Our last venture was to start a class for children aged 5 years, who would not otherwise have preschool teaching. In this way the children do not lose what they have already learned before they go into Public school at 6 years old.

Remedial Teaching Class

Sr. Enasi, together with a group of faithful volunteers, have a class on a Saturday to help children who need extra tuition due to a late start in school, illness or other factors.