Each child is born with an aptitude for learning that begins in the womb. We recognize that the first five years of a child’s life will not come again and therefore, if we watch them and give them what they are seeking, we will build a strong foundation for learning which will continue throughout their lives.
As educators, our duty is to encourage, nurture and honor each child, being careful not to diminish his or her natural passion for learning. We know that a child has a strong foundation for lifelong learning when she exhibits the following traits:
- A sense of confidence in her abilities
- Strong communication skills
- Mastery of problem-solving techniques
- A demonstrated ability to categorize and organize information in a systematic manner
- An understanding of true collaboration with teachers and peers
The Suzuki environment is set up to honor a child’s natural love of learning. We work with parents to understand what this means – and does not mean. We help parents understand the importance of setting realistic expectations for their child, of providing appropriate materials and of forming an awareness of what their child are ready to learn and not ready to learn. Dr. Suzuki reiterated on many occasions that “If a child is scolded, his ability will not grow and develop.” Adults often unwittingly damage a child through comparisons to siblings or peers or through inappropriate expectations in these sensitive years. As Dr. Suzuki stated, “Nurturing is the basis for developing ability,” and our approach to teaching has been established to honor this principle.