Tokoroa’s Good Sort gets on TV
If you were watching One News’ Good Sorts on Sunday you may have recognised Tokoroa’s Fran Thompson-stevens from babybeings.
Thompson-stevens runs parent baby and toddler classes from her centre in Manfield St with fellow parent educator Levi Mainekaiariki Sikking based on the innovative approach of renowned Hungarian pediatrician Emmi Pikler.
Pikler, who opened an orphanage in Hungary after World War II, believed children were more than just cute and cuddly and that they were capable beings which should be seen as a person and partner right from birth.
Thompson-stevens, who was nominated for Good Sorts by one of the parents who takes part in her free weekly sessions, said she jumped at the chance to share with others what babybeings is all about.
‘‘We sit back and observe a lot which allows children to become authentically their own person rather than who we think they are’’, Fran said.
She said was ‘‘very keen’’ to go on Good Sorts and share something she said could help change New Zealand’s cultural view of children and prevent people from turning to crime or poor mental heath developing later in life.