Reet Marii Rokk

Twenty-seven years old Reet Marii Rokk works as a market research specialist in Estonia. She participated in the Step by Step (SbS) program in her kindergarten and later at school. She has the best memories of those years. We talked with Reet Marii on why it was so special for her to be involved in SbS. 

Reet Marii, how was your school/kindergarten different from others?
From what I remember, my experience was very playful and I had lots of freedom. In the mornings we got together and talked about how our day or week had been. We played fun and stimulating games in the kindergarten. I remember one in which there was a box and the children had to guess what was in it. We had a pool with water and we could play with our toys and get wet. We also had a doll house which was something rare at that time. So we all enjoyed very much being at the kindergarten. 

How did you experience the SbS program at school?
I remember that we did not have grades for first three years. We were only given smiley faces for our work. Our teachers were friendly, caring and supportive. I know that some children are having stress at school and are scared of it, but we never experienced anything like that. We just enjoyed our time there. 

What was the main lesson you learnt?
My teachers paid a lot of attention on the relationships that we, children, developed. And I am very grateful for that. They also taught us how to get along, how to be friendly and supportive to each other, how to be a better person. I had a great teacher who taught us that diversity is good, and that we shouldn't bully others just because they differ from us. I am still friends with some of my first grade classmates. Even though we continued our education in different schools, we remained friends. So I guess the attention our teachers put on building good relationships really worked.

How did the SbS program contribute to your growth?
The program taught me about tolerance and acceptance, and increased my curiosity. Different toys and games helped to develop that. In my life I always try to see the positive side in everything, and most surely the SbS program has something to do with this attitude. 

How did the program change you and influenced your future? 
I became more creative because of the SbS program, which now helps me in my current work. When I was in kindergarten, I remember preparing a short theater play. Later on, my peers performed it and I felt very good. My teachers were extremely supportive and I felt very proud of myself. I also wrote poems. Moreover, I do not have any issues when it comes to communicating with other people because I was taught how to do it since my early childhood.