'Mother's Touch' - Fresh approach to early children's education

Lanka Jayawardena

"The pre-occupation with child-education, has always been a social priority, throughout human history. In ancient Babylonia, teachers were sumptuously placated by parents, to protect their children from the wrath of teachers.

Records from Egyptian history of early days, indicate that children were required to write some lines repeatedly as a punishment for bad behaviour. There was no special form of education specifically designed for children.

The children were thought of as small men and small women, rather than special beings whose psychology had to be fully recognised when childhood educational systems were devised. It was Dr. Maria Montessori, who introduced a pioneering system of child-education.

As an educationist she advocated the establishment of the right environment for the child, to enable that little person to acquire a practical orientation to real life."

This observation was made by Kalakeerthi Edwin Ariyadasa, in his key-note address at the ceremonial inauguration of the diploma course in Montessori Method of Education, launched by Mother's Touch Montessori School, located at No. 6, Walter Gunesekara Mawatha, Nawala.

Geetha Kaduwela, Director, Mother's Touch Institute of Modern Montessori Colombo, welcomed the guests.

Spiritual guidance and blessings were conferred upon the gathering by Ven. Shasthrapahti Handungama Hemaloka Mahathera Chief Incumbent Wickramasinghe Aramaya, Nawala.

In an introductory Lecture, outlining the core-content of Montessori Education, Praneetha Tissera, consultant in Montessori Methods of Education, traced the history of the Montessori Philosophy of Child Education.

"The world has never known, so comprehensive a philosophy of childhood training as the system formulated by Dr. Maria Montessori", said Praneetha Tissera, Indicting her dedication to the nurturing of the child-mind, in a very carefully thought out programme of child education Ms. Tissera reiterated her commitment to the way opened up by Dr. Montessori.

The comprehensive educational courses conducted at Mother's Touch Institute, lead to several Diplomas.

Diploma in Early Childhood Development and Education, concentrates on preparing the trainees to become organised pre-school teachers, who will be capable of functioning in the School in a community setting.