Principal of LOT FMCFP, May, shares why Truth, Beauty, Goodness is essential for the children

At our Little Olive Tree preschools, the hope is that our a strong foundation in Truth, Beauty and Goodness prepares our children to thrive in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) environment. We believe a focus on values and character is equally important as academic progression and preparation for Primary school as it shapes a child’s personality in their early years.

Truth

To May Ten, Principal of LOT FMC Farrer Park, the truth of this world can be very subjective. The world’s definition of love, success and self-worth is very different from real, unconditional love. If a child does not learn what is real love, they will end up looking for love and acceptance in the wrong places. They will also begin to doubt themselves if they do not measure up in terms of the world’s success and they will base their self-worth on people’s affirmation. She hopes that the children will be able to discover their own truth to live by, a truth that rejects falsehoods and facades created by this world and is only shaped by authenticity and positive influences.

Beauty

May prays that children grow to understand that they are wonderfully made, and what is most important is their beauty that shines through from the inside. Each child is beautiful in that they are unique, and that there is only one of them that exists in the whole world. Regardless of nationality, skin colour, appearance, size, and even developmental needs, beauty exudes from them simply because they are unapologetically who they are.

Children should also be able to define for themselves what beauty is, and see beauty in the big and small things of everyday life, be it in nature or people around them.

Regardless of nationality, skin colour, appearance, size, and even developmental needs, beauty exudes from them simply because they are unapologetically who they are.

Goodness

Goodness is the quality of being morally right and kind. May believes that ‘goodness’ should be likened to an action word, as children need to learn to be kind, not only in words but also in deeds.

Having academic excellence is not a strong predictor of happiness in life, yet happiness is positively correlated with motivation and achievement. My team at FMC Farrer Park allows children to make mistakes, learn from mistakes, and practice perseverance and resilience. We strongly believe that this will also help them build empathy when they relate with others, so that they are able to see the good in others, and allow the good within them to overflow into the way they treat and love others.