From Head of ELC
20-11-09
The Progress of Life!
At this time of the year, many of our Pre-Prep children and their families are contemplating the changes that a new school environment may bring. The move to the Junior School or to other primary settings can challenge even the most confident child. The ELC is a secure and familiar ‘second home’ to the children and it is difficult for them to venture out into the ‘unknown’. However, the ability to embrace change and overcome obstacles is a necessary part of the learning process and this is beautifully illustrated in the following extract.
Once upon a time a small opening appeared on a cocoon: a man sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then, it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could not go any further.
So, the man decided to help the butterfly: he took a pair of scissors and opened the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily but it had a withered body. It was tiny and had shrivelled wings. The man continued to watch because he expected that at any moment the wings would open, enlarge and expand, and that they would be able to support the butterfly’s body and become firm.
Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a withered body and shrivelled wings. It was never able to fly.
What the man, in his kindness and goodwill did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle for the butterfly to get through the opening was nature’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly to its wings. It would then be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.
Sometimes, struggles are exactly what we need in life. If we allowed ourselves to go through life without any obstacles it may cripple us. We may not be as strong as we could be and never be able to fly!
Deborah Hendren
Head of Early Learning
 Back to News
|
Top of page