Women’s Month: ABC’s of being successful

POLOKWANE –  “I adore children. I studied B.Ed at the University of Pretoria and took short courses on early childhood development as well. I was a teacher at a private school in Pretoria and later in Polokwane.
“However, my true passion is working with children under the age of five,” she explains. There are currently three young boys registered at Our Little Nest. “We do not have a curriculum but rather learn through play. We have mud-play and learn about the weather by literally going outside so the children see and feel the effects the weather has on nature.
“I do not force the children to do things they don’t want to do. They dictate the programme. Last week, one of the boys expressed his fascination with dinosaurs which prompted a week’s discussion on dinosaurs. I taught them how to count and differentiate colours using dinosaurs. Involving things children enjoy and are passionate about makes them eager to learn and engage in teaching activities.”
Shayne loves being a teacher as there is excitement in every day. “No two days are the same,” she explains. “I have a wonderful routine and parents who help me. My sons are in school but they come to the pre-school everyday where they do their homework and play with the pre-school children.”
As a mother and successful business woman, Shayne feels Women’s Month is too focused on successful women. “We should focus more on women who are less privileged. I earned my own money from the age of 16 and now I run my own business.
“We need to encourage young women to work toward a goal,” she explains.
She says she enjoys being a mother and explains balancing the different elements of her busy life is great fun.
maretha@nmgroup.co.za