Paaralang Pambata ng Nazaret - PPN

Kahit konti ang maniwala dito, masayang ipagpapatuloy ng Paaralang Pambata ng Nazaret - PPN ang kanyang nasimulan... malayo- layo pa, maghintay po lamang😍🥰

RANT (with a healthy dose of begging topped with a big old PLEASE)

LET GO of directing young children.
LET GO of rigidly scheduling their days.
LET GO of believing learning only happens when children follow your agenda.
LET GO of controlling children.
LET GO of believing PRE= academics!!!! PRE=BEFORE (no matter what dictionary you use)
LET GO of HARMING and deterring a child's development.

PLEASE STOP IT!!!! (insert begging eyes with my anger-eyes at the ready)

The current trend of academic-focused early years is a detriment to a child's development. (read that again and again and again)

Controlling children with rigid schedules and rules is actually PREVENTING children from developing the skills they need to control themselves.

Replacing child-led PLAY with an adult agenda focused on "teaching how to pay attention" is actually PREVENTING a child from developing the ability to pay attention.

REMOVING or REDUCING child-led play in order to teach a child how to transition is actually PREVENTING children from developing the ability to transition.

FORCING children to sit still and listen is actually PREVENTING them from developing the skills needed to listen.

You may be wondering: "WHAT on earth sparked Denita's begging RANT?"

Visiting with friends this weekend at a wedding.

YEP!

I have not stopped thinking about the conversation yet.

One of my friends is an OT in the neighboring LARGE school district.

This district has 24 elementary schools. Each of those schools has a reputation.

It USED to be known which ones were "well behaved students" and which ones were "rougher".

My friend said that is no longer true.

Across the board....the behaviors in all 24 elementary classrooms is absolutely out of control.

She said things like "Kids have no idea about consequences, no social awareness, no patience, no perseverance.". Then went on to add "It's like they have never been expected to control themselves"

Now...we can talk all day about the many reasons for this, with class sizes being a HUGE contributing factor as well as the absolutely ridiculous expectations placed on teachers.

For the purposes of my page and my work with educating adults who have young children in their lives:

I am focusing on what has been ROBBED from children during their early years and the absolute harm said thievery has caused.

Yes. You read correctly.

The act of forcing academics onto young children is HARMING their development of LIFE skills.

It is the LACK of those skills and the autonomy and self control that accompanies them that is leading to the absolutely abhorrent behaviors happening in elementary classrooms.

Those behaviors continue as the academic expectations and pressures on children increase as they age.

The result? Adults that do NOT know how to:

•think independently
•be flexible thinkers
•persevere
•empathize
•think outside the box
•solve problems
•think critically
•ask for what they need
•manage social conflict in safe respectful ways
•assess and manage risk

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

STAND UP STAND UP STAND UP!!!
BE THE VOICE children need you to be
BE THE ACTION children need you to be

•Take the "LET GO" list to heart and apply it to your work.

•STOP catering to mis-informed parents and EDUCATE THEM on what js actually developmentally appropriate!!!

•STOP calling the rooms in child care
centers CLASSROOMS!!!!
Words are powerful! "Classroom" is a place for formal education to happen, it sends the WRONG message to parents. There is not an infant-5 year old in the entire world who needs formal education!

What NOT to do:

Remain quiet.

It can feel confusing when your child behaves perfectly for everyone else but falls apart the moment they’re home with you. You may think you’re failing, but science says the opposite.

Child psychologist Dr. Suzanne Zeedyk explains that toddlers who release their emotions with their primary caregiver show stronger attachment security. Their meltdown is proof of trust, not poor parenting. Neuroscientist Dr. Bruce Perry calls this “restraint collapse.” Your child’s nervous system has spent the day suppressing impulses, following rules, and managing stress. When they see you, the safety of your presence allows that stress to release.

The prefrontal cortex, which controls emotional regulation, is still developing, so toddlers rely on caregivers to help manage strong feelings. Cortisol studies confirm that stress hormone levels drop when a trusted parent appears, even if behavior temporarily deteriorates.

Think of it like adults after a long day at work. We hold it together in public but release tension with those we trust most. Your toddler does the same.

Your child is showing you they feel safe. That meltdown is not a failure; it is a sign of deep trust.

Playtime with dads is more than fun; it’s brain-building. Neuroscience shows that just 15 minutes of focused, engaging play each day can help wire a child’s brain for better empathy, focus, and language.

When a father engages in play, the child experiences laughter, problem-solving, and emotional connection. These interactions activate multiple areas of the brain at once: the prefrontal cortex for attention and self-control, language centers for communication, and limbic structures for understanding emotions. Even brief moments of playful interaction have measurable effects.

Dads often play in ways that are physical, spontaneous, and imaginative. Wrestling, tossing, chasing, or silly games create excitement while teaching boundaries, self-regulation, and social cues. This kind of play helps children navigate challenges, communicate more effectively, and develop empathy for others.

It doesn’t require long hours or perfect planning. A focused, joyful 15 minutes is enough to spark growth. So the next time your child asks for a game, a story, or just a moment together, know that you are giving them a gift that shapes their brain for life.

A father’s bond is more than affection. It shapes how a child’s brain handles stress, confidence, and connection. Research shows that children who feel securely attached to their fathers are more resilient, emotionally stable, and twice as likely to avoid depression during their teenage years.

A mother’s love often builds comfort and security, while a father’s love encourages exploration and courage. When a father engages through play, problem-solving, or gentle challenges, a child’s brain learns how to manage emotions, recover from setbacks, and trust their own strength. These interactions train the nervous system to handle stress in healthy ways.

According to researchers at the University of Oxford, teens with strong father attachments show lower cortisol levels and better coping skills when facing difficulties. The difference is not about who loves more, but how each form of love supports the developing mind.

Every laugh, game, or shared moment between father and child strengthens emotional safety and resilience. A father’s steady presence quietly teaches that the world is safe to explore and that they are never alone while learning to stand on their own.

👇👇👇

Kindergarten was never meant to look like this. It was supposed to be a garden for children, a space to play, explore, and grow roots before reaching for the sky. Today, over 67% of kindergartners are tested each year, and 1 in 5 faces tests monthly or more, long before they can even tie their shoes.

This shift has transformed early education into something it was never meant to be. Desks have replaced play corners, worksheets have replaced building blocks, and joy has been replaced with performance. Studies show that constant testing at this age activates stress pathways in the brain, wiring children for anxiety instead of curiosity.

True learning begins with emotional safety, not standardized pressure. Children need play, connection, and imagination; the soil that helps their brains bloom. Teachers around the world are speaking up, reminding us that children aren’t data points to be measured but seedlings to be nurtured.

No garden thrives under constant evaluation. The best learning doesn’t come from tests but from time, care, and curiosity.

Batang Paslit ng 80's (Day Care)

Tandang-tanda ko pa ang mga matitibay na upuan na ginawa ni Papa. Ito ang mga nagsilbi naming upuan sa unang karanasan sa eskwela na hanggang ngayon ay iniingatan pa! Kanya-kanya kasi noon ng dala ng upuan. At sa pagtatapos ng taong-panuuran, iuuwi na rin sa bawat tahanan.

Halo-halong emosyon ang aking nadama nang akin itong maalala. Salamat Papa at Mama sa magandang alaala. Di ko pagsasawaang balik-balikan:Batang paslit ng 80's!