The origin story
The Village concept was born out of a unique blend of personal experiences and a deep appreciation for the value of early childhood education. From childhood to early motherhood and her studies at Harvard, Alex's journey was filled with experiences that shaped her understanding of the critical importance of the first few years of a child's life.
Check out Alex's essay that sparked the creation of The Village!
From Personal Experiences to a Vision: The Importance of Early Childhood Education
The idea for The Village comes from many of my experiences, starting from early childhood, through early motherhood, and up to my studies at Harvard. Spending time with little Stefan (3 years old) is an incredible experience for me to re-establish relationships - with my child, my husband, my parents, and, most importantly, with myself. The way children discover the world, marvel at every smallest element of it, explore, how they enjoy dancing, modeling clay or sound, teaches me to look into the future again with great hope.
Raising little Stefan is not always an easy task, especially far from family and friends (we have been living abroad since Stefan was 3 months old). During this time, I understood the immense value of local community circles and how much it means for the mental health of the whole family. Especially mothers, on whose shoulders the main responsibility for a small child lies in Poland. Mom, in The Village, you are just as important as your child. We will gradually introduce services that will make your life a little easier. Coffee meetings, yoga, family meals, or a doctor's visit - that's all you can expect in The Village.
All of these experiences taught me how critically important the period from the third trimester of pregnancy to around 5 years of age is for our development as humans, as 95% of our brain is formed during this time. How important early childhood education is for the entire family experience. Some of you may think: "Exaggeration, it's just a nursery or kindergarten, it should be nice, enjoyable, and pretty enough. Nobody felt that way in our time, and everyone is living." Sure! They live, but very differently.
Please look at our experiences from school, work, and daily interactions. Why does art move some people, while others cannot find the key to it? Why do some children in elementary school grasp fractions and write interesting, colorful essays, while others, despite their effort and family support, have significant problems even with short concentration? Why do some people listen wonderfully, can show empathy and create mature relationships, while others have difficulty taking responsibility?
Genes? Yes, genes give us the basic material, the clay for sculpting personality, but it's the tools we use and the environment in which we sculpt that give us the final shape. Modern science proves that the discussion about whether genes or the environment shape a person has lost its meaning. It is a constant dance between genetic code and experience that builds our neural connections, shapes thinking patterns, and affects who we become as humans.
That's why early childhood experiences are so critically important for the physical, cognitive, socio-emotional, and spiritual development of our children. The Village will provide an environment that fosters this development, offering programs that are tailored to meet each child's individual needs. The Village will be a place where parents can come together and support each other through the challenges of raising young children. It will be a community where children can learn, play, and grow in a safe and nurturing environment.
“ The way children discover the world, marvel at every smallest element of it, teaches me to look into the future again with great hope.”