I recently observed a disturbing scene at a local preschool.
A little boy was left to cry at the preschool door for the better part of the twohour program. His mother had been instructed to sit outside the windowed door, but to not make eye contact, even as he cried and called for her.
The most disturbing part of this was that nobody in authority whom I contacted felt the boy was being mistreated. I do not need a PhD in psychology to know that forced separation between parent and child can lead not only to shortterm distress but long-term psychological damage. When endorsed by a professional, it trains new and easily influenced parents to go against their natural instincts.
Why are so many adults on anti-anxiety and anti-depressants?
Sadly, there are many preschool and daycares in town that still use this inhumane approach.
Our family was lucky in that the preschools both our children attended encouraged me to stay in the preschool room as long as my children needed me. With my daughter it took a full month; with my son it was much quicker. We managed the separations with respect and without tears.
We used to think it was OK for teachers and parents to hit children, now we know better. Hopefully, one day our attitude toward forced separation will change too.
Monika Hofmeier
Saanich
