RCB
- Updated: 25 May 2016
- Published: 14 June 2011
- Hits: 837
There are many aspects of The Renaissance School (TRS) that inspire and impress me everyday. I am so grateful that we have been able to send our daughter there for the last few years.
The program at TRS is how I think education should be and how I wish it had been when I was a child. Each child is treated as a unique, creative being who passions and learning styles are as different as snowflakes. The high teacher-student ratio means that each child frequently receives one-on-one attention and lessons.
From the pre-primary to primary levels (preschool through kindergarden) all the concepts are taught in very concrete, tangible terms. Mathematics, geography, written language comprehension - everything is taught through hands on and sensory materials. It is not until age 6, which is developmentally appropriate, that abstract concepts are integrated. The result is that children at TRS are reading & writing and comprehending basic math at very early ages.
Although the children of TRS advance quickly in academics, the culture of the school is not focused on achievement. The focus is on each child expressing their creative, intellectual, and social potential. Every lesson - whether it is teaching a 2 yr old how to dress themselves, or teaching a 4 yr old how to cook chicken tikka masala for their classmates - the focus is on self-esteem, self confidence and independence.
The children learn new skills - from practical life skills to academics - as a way to help them trust in their own abilities to take care of themselves and have the tools to open new worlds of exploration for themselves. When a child learns to do something on their own and is no longer reliant on the help of an adult - the look of pure joy and pride is incredible.
Each classroom is bilingual - either French/English or Spanish/English. And the foreign language teachers are all native speakers - so the children learn the proper accents and the culture that accompanies the language. Because of the immersion style classroom - my 4 yr old can over-hear a conversation in Spanish on the street and understand what was said. All of the teachers at TRS are incredibly talented and special. I'm not sure how Leslie (the head of school) does it, but she manages to find the most extraordinary teachers and keep them for a long time.
TRS also offers incredible art and music instruction as part of the regular curriculum. And twice a year TRS offers "Redirecting Children's Behavior" a parenting class that helps parents create positive solutions to challenging behaviors or dynamics within the family. I can't even begin to express how helpful that class was for me!
As a result of our participation at TRS my child is more self-confident and has an increased language for social problem-solving; and my partner and I are parenting in a way that more closely reflects our values. We are eternally grateful for the community at TRS!
- Updated: 25 May 2016
- Published: 14 June 2011
- Hits: 893
My Son has attended The Renaissance School for the past 8 years from Pre-Primary to Elementary, with wonderful results. It is a first-rate Montessori School, situated in the Dimond district of Oakland. It is great to see how my son is shaping and developing into a thoughtful, bright young man.
Over the years, TRS has taught him how to learn. To take a topic, plan, research and develop and express complex thought. Because of the positive, thought provoking environment of TRS, my son is steadily becoming a renaissance child. He speaks and writes three languages, sings and plays the piano, and this year has begun composing music.
I highly recommend this school. It is definitely laying the ground work for my son's next level of education and beyond.
- Updated: 25 May 2016
- Published: 14 June 2011
- Hits: 992
There is an optimal time to learn how to use the toilet. Using the toilet is a normal, healthy, necessary process.
From the very beginning of a baby’s life, his diapers should be changed as soon as they are soiled so that he absorbs the message that it is normal to stay clean and dry. He will soon come to feel uncomfortable whenever his diaper is wet or dirty. Babies typically need to be changed at least ten times per day. It is important to remember the baby’s gastro-colic reflex, wherein his bowels are stimulated whenever he is fed. He will probably have to be changed immediately after eating, even if he had just been changed before he ate. The baby should never be left any length of time with a soiled diaper.
For most babies, bowel movements soon become regular and predictable. If a pattern can be recognized and the baby can sit, it is possible and desirable to place the baby on a very small potty. It is extremely important never to comment on whether anything is deposited in the potty. This is simply an opportunity for the child to understand that urine and bowel movements can be held and released. Never pressure the child in any way or comment on “accidents.” These are normal functions, not accidents. It is important to use correct language for bodily functions; i.e. urinate, bowel movement.
When a child can walk independently, his myelinization has reached the point where he can have some control over his sphincter muscles. Toileting should be made as easy as possible for the child. His clothes need to be very easy to take off, clean clothes must be accessible for the child and the toilet needs to be small enough so that the child can get on and off easily. At first, the child will need a great deal of help taking off and putting on clothes. He will collaborate and then gradually learn to do it for himself. When a child first begins toilet learning, he will recognize when he needs to urinate just prior to urinating. So it is important to observe the child to know when a child is about to urinate, and then suggest to him to use the toilet. If the toilet and his clothes are easy to handle, he is more likely to be successful.
In the Pre-primary classroom, we have regular times when the children are asked to use the toilet. Such times are when the children enter the environment, before snack, before going outside, before lunch, before nap, etc. We do not force the child to use the toilet, we just state in a matter of fact way, "We are going outside soon, so it is time to use the toilet.” We are only making an offer, but are phrasing it in such a way that the child will not automatically refuse. If he does refuse, it is because he has made a conscious choice, and so we do not push the issue. He should be given every opportunity to observe other children using the toilet and taking care of their dressing. Eventually, the child will accept that using the toilet is a natural behavior in the environment, and he will no longer want to be in diapers.
Once a child is wearing training pants during the day, he should wear them at night as well. It is a good idea to use flannel rubber sheeting under the mattress cover to protect the bedding.
- Updated: 25 May 2016
- Published: 14 June 2011
- Hits: 1056
I have two kids at TRS, one now going into Elementary, and I have to say I am regularly impressed with the things they are learning there. Driving home from school they are having conversations about math in the back seat...from a 6yr old and a 4yr old!
My youngest spills his milk on the floor, the oldest says, "Look! You made Africa! Let's see if we can make Australia!"
When the youngest was 3, sitting in the back seat he says "Papa, the car next to us says TACOMA."
Thanks TRS!
