Part 1: Preparing Young Leaders
Written by Kim O'Neil, Assistant Head of School and Director of Early Childhood and Primary School
Laying the foundation for leadership begins in the earliest years. One of the first places we start is by teaching independence—beginning with basic things like showing children how to put on their own coats and shoes and offering them choices, which builds confidence and gives them a sense of control. Small group work helps to build collaboration and cooperation skills and classroom jobs offer age-appropriate leadership opportunities for young children.
As students move through the grades, the leadership opportunities increase in scope and responsibility. For example, during a second grade math unit the students became shopkeepers and invited first graders to shop in their store. Our youngest students are also encouraged to speak and perform in public in front of their classmates and larger audiences such as at morning gatherings, the spring musical, and concerts.
Our goal is to lay a solid foundation throughout the Early Childhood and Primary grades, so students are ready to embrace the leadership challenges of Middle School.
Kim O'Neil
Assistant Head of School and Director of Early Childhood and Primary School