b"A Preschool Celebrates a Half Century of PlayingMorrow Preschool leans into teaching kids to be kidsBY TIA SWANSONI t was a modest beginning. Road.recreation. isphilosophy has not When Morrow Memorial Pre- The underlying school opened its doors in the fallchanged.Playeverything.Children of 1974, it was not yet certifieddesign much of their day in real time, and occupied a single room in theplanning as they go. Its giving them sprawling first floor of the grandthe freedom to be creative, says retired churchonRidgewoodlongtimedirectorBarbaraIllingworth. Thereweretwoclasses.A4-year-oldEverything[everywhereelse]ispro-class met for a few hours three morn- grammed.ings a week, and a 3-year-old class metIllingworth,whooriginallytrained on the other two. asaphysicaleducationteacher,came Maplewoodian Jessie Auth, who at- as a classroom aide in 1979 and never tended that year, (although she recallsleft. She taught the 3s for years. After twoclassrooms,notone)rememberscompleting a degree and certification in one of the lessons. The teacher blind- early childhood education, she became folded the students and asked them tothe director in 1984. She served for 27 identify what food they were feeling oryears until her retirement in 2011. She smelling. Auth got vinegar. I said, let- still runs Lunch Bunch, the hour-long tucefrosting,sherecalls,atwhichplay and story time that also is an insti-point the teacher laughed. Auth, told totution.repeat the phrase to her mother as sheShesthemamabear,sayscur-arrived, burst into tears. rent board president and parent Lauren In the 50 years since, there have noNoonan. All the students know her so doubtbeenplentyofclassroomtears,well. Indeed, Illingworth has a knack though very few, one suspects, inducedfor remembering all the students who by the classroom guardian. Every teacherhave graduated from Morrow, even af-at the school has been there more than ater they have gained inches, curves and decade and has loyal fans, most of thembeards. She sometimes greets each stu-under five feet tall. The preschool alsodent she sees with a hug. Top to bottom: The hallway in Morrow decorated with projects and arthasgrowntoincludefourclassroomsBut her biggest impact has been on from the children. Barb Illingworth with one of her early classes, on an an- that are used all day, as well as a play- the teachers.nual farm visit. The first classroom at Morrow, still in use and decorated by the children for a Mother's Day tea. ground, a garden, and space for indoorOh,myGod,Barbtaughtmeso 24/ matters magazine / school 2024"