Encouraging participatory democracy, anti-bias skills, and environmental awareness since 1973.
Our Philosophy
Seward Child Care has been fostering the development of the whole child through participatory democracy, anti-bias skills, and environmental awareness since 1973. Children, teacher, and parents work together to create a democratic environment.
What Makes Seward Child Care Center Unique?
- Parent-governed—the school was created by parents and is still governed by parents cooperatively
- Teacher run—the teachers collectively run the school (without a director) so all decisions are made with the children’s needs first.
- Democratic participation-- the Teacher Collective and Parent Cooperative allow children to experience democracy firsthand.
- Child-initiated learning—children learn to make decisions and choices within a safe and structured daily routine.
- An approach to conflict that encourages social skills and peaceful ways to resolve disputes.
Steps for Solving Problems and Resolving Conflicts
Adapted from Betsy Evans.
1. Approach the conflict calmly.
2. Acknowledge the feelings of any or all children involved in the conflict.
3. Gather information from the children about what the problem is.
4. Restate the problem back to the children.
5. Ask for solutions from the children and choose one together.
6. Be prepared to give follow-up support to the children after the problem has been solved.
