If there is one thing I’ve learned about being a parent, it’s that my kid learns more from observation, experience and just being as opposed to me telling her what or how to do something. Do you think I taught her the use of the word “like” (as in “mummy, like, I’m just not tired”)? No, in fact, I think I would try to keep it out of her vocabulary. But alas, it is coming out of her mouth, like, all the time.
So, as I look around our neighbourhood and the school she’ll be attending, I wonder about multiculturalism and if there will be enough exposure to the different cultures, ethnicities and languages that make up Toronto. I can tell her all day long that skin colour doesn’t matter and that we’re all the same on the inside etc. etc.…, but unless she has the opportunity to live it and just be part of a multicultural experience, I could be wasting my breath. Since I choose to raise my daughter in Toronto, one of the most multicultural cities in the world, I would be remiss to deny her of all it has to offer, including first and foremost, what makes this city so incredible – the beautiful mosaic of people.
So what are my options? Well, we could move…to where I don’t know since semis are going for close to a million in most neighbourhoods these days! Or I can choose a different kind of school; a school like Momentum Montessori. I recently had the opportunity to visit the school and meet the Principle, Ryan Murray, as well as the teachers and even the kids. In my short visit I could tell this was an environment that allows kids to learn, grow and thrive in more than just the traditional academic way.
Ryan’s excitement in telling me about the weekly outings to local attractions was palpable, and his pride shone through as he described the organic lunches the school offers by working with local small businesses. But what stood out for me the most was when Ryan told me about the importance of having teachers and students from all over the world who bring a cultural aspect to Momentum Montessori that some children might not be exposed to. The teachers and students are encouraged to share stories, language, and knowledge with each other, bringing otherwise one dimensional tales to life. Their stories hold so much more meaning and weight because the people in their stories are their mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters; the sense of adventure (and adversity) is heightened because they’ve lived it; and their deep sense of gratitude conveyed was obvious. Math, spelling, reading – those will happen anywhere she goes, but learning to express compassion, open mindedness, empathy and gratefulness is what sets Momentum apart.
As I imagine what my daughter’s education will entail, I am happy to know there are schools like Momentum Montessori that could offer her the kind of rich, well rounded educational experience I have always hoped she would get from growing up in this great city we are oh so lucky to call home.
