With SMKN 10 Makassar on leave for Ramadan celebrations, ETA Ruby Mead spent the month of March maximizing her free time with visits to other educational institutions around the city—one of which was Abigail Preschool, an English language learning school that develops students’ intelligence with creative and supportive stimulation based on early childhood developmental stages.

As an exciting departure from her extended time with high school students, Ruby’s visit entailed meeting a select few wide-eyed kindergarteners, touring the grounds, and consulting with teachers on early childhood education pedagogies, creative classroom games, and building confidence in English speech production.

The visit began with an informal information session on how to encourage students’ motivation and incorporate corporal movement into curricula—as well as the imperative of allowing space for imperfection and play in language learning. The group then moved into a Q&A session in which Ruby and her counterpart Ibu Elly offered tips and tricks for strengthening the teachers’ general English level as they support young students who are navigating new emotions, stimuli, and skills.

The session ended in parades of joyous laughter, an exchange of gifts, and a photo session to commemorate this newfound partnership.

Ruby Mead is currently teaching at SMKN 10 Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan.