Head’s Blog: The Child’s Village 

The proverb “it takes a village to raise a child” is more than a line; for many, it is a foundational truth. While parents are the primary architects of a child’s environment, grandparents and extended family can provide structural reinforcement that provides a breadth of interactions that can heighten academic, social, and emotional development. 

This morning we hosted “A Grand Day” at Matthews Hall, where grandparents and extended family members were able to come into the school and immerse themselves in our environment. From the smiles, laughter and happiness seen on the faces of many, it is clear that when family and friends are close to what matters to someone, it brings a great deal of joy.  

Grandparents and extended family members can serve as an auxiliary educational resource, often providing a different style of cognitive stimulation than a traditional classroom or parental setting. Grandparents are often the primary conduits for family history and storytelling. This exposure to different narrative structures and vocabulary enhances literacy skills and verbal intelligence. Extended family members often bring diverse skill sets such as gardening, carpentry, a second language or some unique hobby. This fosters cognitive flexibility, showing children that there are multiple ways to solve problems and acquire knowledge. With a wider education available, a child is more likely to find someone who can promote growth. 

Learning does not happen best in isolation. A supportive community creates a scaffold that empowers young learners to more fully develop. When a community shows interest in a child’s success, the child can begin to believe that they have the resources and support necessary to overcome obstacles, and when children see their parents and grandparents supported by a community, they learn the value of empathy. They see that embracing support is a strategic way to achieve greater goals. 

A child raised within a network of extended family and community is enriched. This network provides the diverse perspectives, emotional safety nets, and communal wisdom that empower a young learner to transition from a student within the family to a contributor within the world. We were thrilled to offer an extension to that network today and we are very happy that so many could join us.  

 My thanks to everyone for making our school a place where academic excellence is found through joyful learning. 

 Christopher White, Head of School