Education, the strongest foundation
A retired teacher shares how much she enjoyed teaching children at kindergarten.
I BECAME a kindergarten teacher in 1957 and continued to serve in this profession until the year 2000. I taught English for 25 years followed by Tamil for 25 years.
All my friends were searching for greener pastures, but I fell in love with the children who are innocent, easily forgiving, filled with impromptu gestures, creative, skilful, energetic amd filled with laughter.
Since I lost my foundation in studies at an early age (it was interrupted due to World War II and I also lost my parents), I was eager and determined to spread to every parent that an education is the strongest foundation in a grrowing child.
It is the best investment forfo a child, which each parent should provide. As the saying goes “what you sow is what you reap” anda the power of knowledge willl stay with you forever and help you excel further if nurtured in the right path.
It has been a long journey for me as a kindergarten teacher. It has given me confidence, taught me patience, strengthened friendships annd broadened my perception. TheT many activities kept me goinng through times of pain and agonya as a widow when my husbandd passed away in 1975.
The children’s laughter heelped me to survive stress and reddiscover myself.
Honestly, I must admit a childc is a precious gift. The more yoou revolve your life around theem, the more you are likely to attainn peace. I guarantee they teach valuaable lessons in life.
I went on my own to do thhe International Diploma in Montessori Course from 19771 to 1972 in Hyderabad, India. Itt was sponsored by my late husbaand, N. Thambirajah.
Later when there was a need for Tamil teachers, I took up the challenge as a Tamil kindergarten teacher. I was so eager to teach my mother tongue to the children aged three to five, that I pursued my own Tamil course at the Tamil University of Tanjavur in south India from 1993 to 1994.
If not for these children, I would not have furthered my studies.
As a Tamil kindergarten teacher, I successfully published “Learn Tamil with English alphabets” for easy pronunciation.
I also wrote articles in newspapers and published activity books to make Tamil more interesting for children through books in English or Tamil titled “Its Fun To Colour”.
Today at the age of 82, I still long to be a kindergarten teacher and be in the company of children. They are eager to take part in activities and make lots of noise! I am a proud mother of four children and am blessed by eight grandchildren.
I truly salute the children for their silent gift of knowledge to me. We can learn from them.