Hello, my name is Sylvia Rath and I am the Director of Little Village Nursery School. I got my start in this field as a co-op parent, back when my own son was just a toddler -- now he's in high school! At the co-op, I volunteered for many jobs on the Board then worked as a substitute teacher. To make a long story short, my son eventually graduated and I ended up getting my degree in Early Child Development and I taught for eight years. In 1999, I joined Little Village as Director.
Little Village is truly a wonderful, caring and supportive place. Our diverse staff members have many years of experience and they are always growing through continuous education and workshops. They also work as mentors for students in both Santa Monica College and UCLA programs. As Director, in addition to my administrative duties, I also get to know all the children when I share stories, songs, music and movement, observe them at play, and join them for a good old dig in the sand box.
Volunteerism Builds Community
If you don't have the time to be involved in your child's education, this is probably not the school for you. As a co-op, we count on our parents to help run our school. Some parents serve on the Board of Directors while others coordinate the school book club. One thing is certain -- everyone does something! Our parents find that the time they commit to their children's school has a way of paying off in many different and sometimes unexpected ways. First and foremost, it demonstrates the value we place on education to the most important people in this equation, our children. It also serves as a model of volunteerism in our community. And perhaps most rewarding of all, it gives our families a wonderful sense of community. In a large city like Los Angeles, many people say that they lack the small community feel and the support system that a coop can give. Many of our families make bonds that last a lifetime.
Our Philosophy
Little Village curriculum is a developmental program. It is based on the idea that children learn best through play. We offer opportunities for growth by providing a rich and diverse environment of different play areas. In each of these areas, academics are involved but the main focus is on the classroom as a social process. To that end, our teachers carefully plan the play areas to promote both academic and social growth. For example, our children learn math skills in the block area, writing skills while making shopping lists during imaginative play, pre-writing skills while stringing beads, science concepts while participating in science experiments, and developing language skills through songs and storytelling.
Our art projects are process-oriented, not product-oriented since it's in the process of creation that children learn to experiment with the materials. Easels are set up every day for children to paint at their leisure. Preschool children are at the developmental age when they enjoy very tactile experiences with paint (remember finger painting?), water, sand and mud, so we warn parents to dress their children in old clothes. At Little Village, children are encouraged to build streams in the sandbox, paint huge boxes, mush about in shaving cream, and explore the world using all their senses -- without fear of getting dirty!
Parent Education
Parenting is the most important and
challenging job that we will ever have. These are challenging times to
raise a child. Many people do not have family support close by, and
even when they do there is the never-ending juggle of work and home.
The supportive community of Little Village extends beyond our parent
support group in our toddler program; we also take pride in out parent
education workshops, parent support groups, and other caring parents
and staff that can offer both hugs and advice.
Social Skills: The Building Blocks of a Good Education
The main focus at Little Village is teaching and modeling appropriate social skills. We employ a step-by-step conflict resolution method that encourages children to use tools to resolve conflicts and to become problem solvers. We teach children what words they can use to identify their feelings to others and we teach them that it is important to learn stand up for themselves. Little Village graduates have a great reputation at our local elementary schools for resolving conflicts. I often tell people that if more adults had these skills, the world would be a much more peaceful place.
Positive discipline encourages personal growth. Setting limits for preschoolers is very important, as it keeps everyone safe. Safety is a top priority at Little Village. We reinforce limits with natural consequences rather than punishment. We view mistakes as opportunities for learning and that is how we handle them.
I always recommend these two books to reflect our discipline methods and have helped me personally as a parent, 1) “Positive Discipline” by Jane Nelson and 2) “How to Talk to Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk” by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. These books help not only with children but any relationship. They basically are using the base of mutual respect, strengthening self-esteem and encouraging personal growth.
After all, we are all growing and learning together.
