Linked with our presentation of Blanca Campoverde – Ecuador.
The Fundacion Ninez y Vida is a local NGO here in Quito with 30 years of experience working with children. Niñez y Vida offers multiple children’s centers in the poor neighborhoods of western Quito. One strong aspect of the foundation is its use of the Montessori model, encouraging a natural development process in children. With that in mind, the centers have very little formal education structure, but instead offer many different experimental stations where the children are free to learn at their own pace. In impoverished living conditions, children are often forced to grow up much faster than is healthy. The centers offer the children an atmosphere of freedom that allows for them to grow and develop at their own rate. In the centers, children are never pressured or required to participate in any activity or schedule.
Experimental play areas: One of the most important elements of each center is the experimental play areas. Each area is specifically designed and equipped with toys and materials to aid development in certain field. For example, you will find a corner of mathematics games and numbers, an area of building blocks and small construction materials, or a science section filled with animals and materials relating to the environment. All the centers have a ‘daily life’ area where children can imitate their parents by putting on make-up, playing dress-up, or even doing chores.