Valerie Cassity - Special to the Sun

Michelle Maring has come back to her roots, returning to Kernville to provide quality in-home childcare services with a Montessori implemented preschool program to children aged 2-5. Her home, filled with bright colors, children’s art work, and cultural artifacts, is an ideal place for young minds and imaginations to flourish.

Maring lived in Kernville until the age of six, when her parents relocated to Bakersfield so that their two children, Michelle and her brother Zac, could have better educational opportunities. Maring’s mother, Liz, had an in-home family childcare center for 16 years, so Michelle grew up with many other children in her home and was thus inspired to take that career path herself. But, Maring says, it is also the children themselves who inspire her on a daily basis. 'There’s nothing better than finger painting and building sand castles or watching a child write their name for the first time,' said Maring. Knowing that she wanted to pursue a career in child care, Maring began working as a private in-home nanny for a family with nine children immediately after high school, and remained there for four years as she earned her Associates of Science Degree from Bakersfield College in Child Development and Family Relations. She was then offered a position at the Montessori Children’s Center, where she taught for five years. She still gets cards and phone calls regularly from her former students and their parents, who are supportive of her new endeavor but miss her bright influence.

The parents of Maring’s Kernville students are just as pleased with the results she has gotten through her teaching efforts. Although the daycare has only been open for a short time, parents are already seeing a positive change in their children from the Montessori-based instruction. 'I cannot believe the difference in [my child] already,' exclaimed one parent,.'She no longer interrupts us and the temper tantrums have noticeably decreased. She comes home so happy, singing and dancing. I can’t wait to see the progress a few months from now!'

Maring moved back to the Kern Valley last year to open an in-home daycare because she had heard from many parents that there was a strong desire in this area for quality, Montessori based childcare in Kernville, and she felt the calling to fill that need. She has been overwhelmed by the amount of support she has received from the Kern Valley, and stressed that she could not have done it without the many people who have helped her. 'I really want to thank the whole community for their work efforts, supply and toy donations, and encouragement,' said Maring. 'I also want to thank my neighbors for their support and patience through the transition.'

The Montessori philosophy, which Maring uses as her teaching influence, focuses on four things; physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development. In addition to letters and numbers, Maring teaches letter sounds and mathematical concepts, as well as manners and etiquette. She also encourages independence, self-discipline, listening skills, and concentration. The Montessori philosophy also uses the appreciation of quiet and stillness as a tool to help the children center themselves. 'Montessori educators act as guides or a link between the child and their learning materials,' explained Maring, 'Preschool is a perfect age because between the ages of 2-6, the children are like sponges and absorb everything they are presented with.'

The days at Maring’s home are filled with discovery, learning, and fun. Through a variety of lessons and materials, she teaches practical life skills, such as pouring, scooping, peeing vegetables, and personal hygiene; sensory learning through touching, tasting, hearing, movement and dance, etc.; language skills which include proper grammar, writing, and foreign language; and math skills, in which the concepts of numbers are introduced so that addition and subtraction can be grasped by the children. Each child is taught at his or her own level, and is given freedom to choose how they want to learn different concepts. 'My goal as a teacher is to offer the children a prepared and stimulating environment, and I teach each child as a whole through hands-on learning,' said Maring.

In addition to their regular lessons, Maring schools the children in good habits for the earth to encourage them to be good stewards of the environment. The students assist with composting and recycling, and are taught not to waste food or water. Everything that can be is reused; for example scrap paper is used for writing lessons and sometimes for art. Maring also takes the children on nature walks, where they pick up litter. 'If we teach them now, the lesson will remain with them for the rest of their lives,' Maring emphasized. 'I want them to appreciate their surroundings, the environment, themselves, and each other.'

Maring’s in-home childcare is located in Kernville and is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. She provides healthy snacks for the children, but lunch is parent provided due to varying dietary needs. Although her full-time preschool-aged roster is currently full with a waiting list, Maring is currently enrolling for her after school program for older children. To inquire about enrollment, contact Michelle at mmm4peace@gmail.com.