When it comes to a child’s education, many parents only begin to prepare their children for preschool. They spend hours on research to find the perfect school which will provide their children with the perfect foundation they need for a proper start in life. But as studies show, waiting until preschool age might mean parents have missed a key formative window in their children’s lives.
Due to the child’s rapid brain development at this age, cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and motor development are at their absolute peak. At this age, any new experiences the child repeatedly engages in fundamentally shape the way the child thinks, feels, behaves and learns in the future. A good ayi is great for a child, but an increasing number of parents are realizing the importance of structured play and learning for children even at this age.
iHommy founder BinBin Zhao
And it is these sorts of parents that BinBin Zhao caters to. Zhao is the founder of iHommy International Daycare, where children are cared for using Montessori principles. Founded in 2015, iHommy was a response to an unfilled niche in Beijing’s education sector. One that Zhao herself recognizes, saying, “0-3 year infant and toddler programs are very important, but there are no such centers in China.”
Principles created by Dr. Maria Montessori guide the educational goals of iHommy, which are to create a strong sense of self in the individual, help the children develop the ability to connect with others and the capacity to be productive adults in the future. Detractors of this method might claim this system indoctrinates children to be ‘adults’ and does not offer them a chance to be children. Not so, according to iHommy and Zhao, who insist the system encourages children to be capable, accountable, knowledgeable individuals with a strong sense of self.
But how would a parent know whether this is indeed the best system for their child? Zhao encourages one simple solution for prospective parents. “Parents need professional help with how to balance taking care of a baby and working from home. It is important for parents to come into the classroom and to see whether their children are happy or not,” Zhao says.
Class is in session
On a typical day, it’s an early 8am start with the day ending at 6pm. There is also the option to drop kids off at 7am, to be picked up at 8pm. This time isn’t squandered, with children engaging in a list of activities, including creating art projects, cooking, having a little relaxation time at the cozy area, and other Montessori shelf works made available to the children throughout the day. They also get three meals as well as a protein-rich snack.
Of course, in the light of COVID-19, site visits to schools will be unlikely for a while to come. Like all schools in Beijing, iHommy temporarily closed its doors, alternatively offering online ‘Mommy and Me’ classes to Beijing parents.
Welcome to iHommy
“We are still not sure the COVID-19 situation will last,” Zhao comments on the current uncertainty. And although the Beijing schools have been given the green light to open their doors to high school seniors on Apr 27, and grade 9 on May 11, it is as yet unclear when grade schools, kindergartens, and daycares will be allowed to reopen. Equally, it is likely facets of current learning strategies during this time will remain well past this COVID-19 period. Online learning might end up becoming a mainstay, with parents possibly opting for this option rather than an interactive one-on-one classroom atmosphere.
This has however not deterred Zhao’s grand plans, saying, “We will open more schools in the coming years.”
For now, this mom of two continues to have high hopes for the future, ready to offer Beijing families world-class services, thanks to her team of accredited Montessori teachers, and a true passion for making year 0-3 truly count for each child in iHommy’s care.
KEEP READING: Starting Education From Age Zero
Photos: iHommy
This article appeared in the beijingkids 2020 May issue
