Raising Children in Costa Rica

[OTTFOG]

We are moving to Costa Rica in December of 2007. Our children will be 2 1/2, 2 1/2, and 5. We have selected a school east of San Jose, Talarke, and will be living nearby. We live in a much warmer climate here in Texas and are wondering if the issue of kids passing colds and flu and upper respiratory infections around to each other is worse in the San Jose area. Additionally, if any of you out there are raising small children in Costa Rica, I would love to hear about your experiences. Thanks, Jerry

[GringoTico]

Jerry,

Raising kids is one of the best reasons to live in Costa Rica. There are no “cliques” in schools, and new students gain 100 new friends on the first day of class. The custom of kissing on the cheek starts when they’re young, and I’ve always felt that this act creates an immediate intimate respect for each other. Yes, Playstations abound, but so do soccer pickup games, particularly as the average neighborhood income drops. In the high income areas with all those big walls seems to impede the social interaction on the block.

I haven’t heard of that school, but it sounds private. It also sounds small, which is just fine for kids that age. As they get older you might think about the larger, more established private schools, particularly those with international credentials. These will be farther away from where you live, and your transportation woes will increase. Also, don’t forget that schools only go up to the 11th grade. I’m unsure whether this affects their ability to go on to a college in the U.S., but if they continue onto higher education in Costa Rica, before college they get what’s called a “Licenciatura”, which takes another year. Furthermore, be aware that if you move back to the U.S., the school calendars collide. They’ll miss half a year in the transition.

Even the private schools lack many of the tools and supplies we take for granted in the U.S., such as copy machines and hand-outs. As a result, it is common for teachers to write all the instructions for homework on the blackboard, and the students must copy it down. This takes time away from learning, and if a child misses a line, they miss that part of the homework. It also seems like Costa Rican schools focus more on memorizing facts than questioning their validity. In my opinion, the educational process in the US is still based on the notion of an assembly line economy, though it has progressed here and there. In Costa Rica, not so much. But this is not a flaw. The improved social interaction with their classmates more than makes up for it. Also, if needed, there are many Montessori schools around.

It’s always amazing to see a how cordial, well-mannered and well-behaved Costa Rican kids are. Teaching them is an absolute joy, as they actually appreciate learning. The downside is that they are not taught to be as questioning (as they are in the U.S.), and they tend to take things more at face value. Rebels have their place in the U.S., but not in Costa Rica.

Regarding colds and flues, they’re different in the tropics. Colds aren’t nearly as bad as they can get in the U.S. Flues can be though, and one of the kinds of flu is called “quiebra huesos” (bone breaker). It’s really no worse that a regular bad flu, it’s just interesting that they name them.

Also, there is a malady new to northerners to watch out for, “se le mete un aire”. The direct translation for this is “air gets inside you”, which will be the diagnosis of everyone from friends, to parents, to aunts and uncles, and even to the best educated doctors in the country. I was floored when the doctor told me that’s what I had. I thought it was just a crick in my neck – and that’s what it is, but in the tropics, they can be severe. It’s always blamed on a cool wind hitting your neck, particularly when you’re hot or wet. That’s why you’ll see babies wrapped in winter hats and scarves on busses all the time. The cure is a “Parche León”, a eucalyptus patch. They finally came on the market in the US five years ago or so for muscle aches, but they’ve been selling them at Costa Rican pharmacies for decades.

Also, conjunctivitis (red eye) seems to be more common there. The rate of ear, nose & throat infections seem to be about the same. Develop a relationship with your pharmacist. They can help you in a pinch when your regular doctor is unavailable, as they’re much more willing, and I think able, to diagnose and treat clients. In the U.S. they would never go that far. It was only seven years ago or so that they made it illegal to sell antibiotics over the counter in Costa Rica. I know all about the inadvisability of doing this, but given a good relationship, it is still done. You can always follow up with a doctor visit later. When your kid is suffering…

Good luck, and no worries. Your kids will enjoy wonderful childhoods there.

P.S.: Small children call their teachers “Niña”. Don’t ask me why.

[OTTFOG]

GringoTico,

Thank you for your informative reply. Originally, we were very interested in a couple of Montesorri Schools but they both closed down. To our knowledge there is NOT a Montessori School in Costa Rica that goes past Kindergarten. If anyone out there knows different please let us know. The one in Manuel Antonio is closed and the one we called in San Jose has closed. We are excited about raising our children in Costa Rica. Thanks, Jerry

[GringoTico]

Here’s a list I found at:
http://www.montessoriconnections.com/schoolsdb/internationalschoolsdb/costarica.html

Escuela Montessori: Mundo de Ninos
Apto. 321
Ciudad Quesada, San Carlos Costa Rica
Voice: 506 460-3932
Type of School: Private
Programs Offered: Early Childhood

Escuela Bilingue Montessori del Mar
300 mts sur puente Rio Lajas, Cabuya
Mailing Address: Apdo 158
Cobano, Puntarenas Costa Rica
Voice: 506 642-0331
montessoripeninsula@yahoo.com
Type of School: Private
Programs Offered: Early Childhood, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary

Golden Valley Montessori of Costa Rica
Heredia Centro
Mailing Address: Apartado postal 63-3000
Heredia, Heredia Costa Rica
Voice: 506 237-0404
Fax: 506 237-0404
info@goldenvalleyschool.com
http://www.goldenvalleyschool.com
Type of School: Private
Programs Offered: Early Childhood, Lower Elementary

Manuel Antonio Montessori Academy
El Mirador del Pacifico
Manuel Antonio, Puntarenas 6350
Costa Rica
Voice: 506 777-4771
maschool@etntelephone.com
http://www.montessorischoolcr.com
Type of School: Private
Programs Offered: Early Childhood, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary

Manuel Antonio Montessori School
El Mirador del Pacifico
Manuel Antonio, Puntarenas 6350
Costa Rica
Voice: 506 777-1073
Fax: 506 777-1073
maschool@etntelephone.com
http://www.manuelantonioschool.com/
Type of School: Private
Programs Offered: Infants, Toddlers, Early Childhood, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary

Home-two Montessori
50 mts. Este Iglesia Catolica San Rafael de Escazu
Mailing Address: 1108-1250
San Jose, San Carlos Costa Rica
Voice: 506 228-8674
Fax: 506 289-7941
alexandra@hometwo.com
http://www.hometwo.com
Type of School: Private
Programs Offered: Toddlers, Early Childhood

Montessori Infant Community
Barrio Montealegre Zapote
Mailing Address: 50-2200
San Jose, San Carlos 1814
Costa Rica
Voice: 506 234-2531
Fax: 506 234-2531
http://montessori-infant-community.com
Type of School: Private
Programs Offered: Toddlers, Early Childhood

Also, there’s one in San Pedro, 1 block East of Roosevelt School. I don’t know what grade they go up to.

[OTTFOG]

GringoTico,

Thanks again! Of the schools you listed, four show that they have some ELEMENTARY level Montessori based training. Of those four listings, three are in Puntarenas.

The one in Cobano has no website and didn’t respond to email or phone calls last Spring. The other two are actually one listing repeated and it is in Manuel Antonio and is currently closed ((from their site: This school is CLOSED temporarily A new school is rebuilt Manuel Antonio Montessori School Location Manuel Antonio, Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica Ages Pre-School thru Eigth Grade)) and one is in Heredia. The one in Heredia only follows Montessori until the age of 6 1/2 ((from the Golden Valley Montessori School site: Trabajamos con la Filosofía Montessori desde los 2 años hasta la edad de 6 y medio años)).

We were told by the founder of one of the Montessori schools that was closing that true Montessori schools in CR were closing down due to the testing requirements of the Ministery of Education. She said that they are requiring Montessori schools to do the same regular interval testing as the traditional schools which goes against Montessori Philosophy.

So, we ran out of Montessori options and fortunately discovered Talarke (www.talarke.com). It is a family run school and we are very impressed with the people, the philosophy, and the curriculum.

Thanks again for your help and research. Jerry

[guru]

The children and schools in CR are like traveling back to the 1950’s in the US. This is good and bad. The children are quiet and respectful. Your 5 year old may already have the bad US habits of being loud and demanding. That will not be accepted in CR. If your child is sweet and polite then he will fit right in and probably STAY that way.

Socialy the custom that children should be seen but not heard is common in most of CR. At least it is so outside of the Central Valley.

Most of the schools are church related and all require school uniforms. This avoids a lot of issues (consider little girls in the US that get hair dye jobs at kindergarten age. . ).

Children in CR almost universaly walk to school no matter what the distance. Small children are often escorted by their mother or older siblings. But by age 10 or so they are on their own and it is safe to do so.

In many parts of CR the schools are overcrowded and the children go to school in shifts. Even though US schools have the hardware and science labs, teachers are overwhelmed with paperwork and pressure to “teach to the test”. This combined with huge disclipline problems is greatly lowering the quality of public education in the US. A 1950’s education in the basics will be a better start. The advantages of technology can be picked up quickly at a later date.

It will also be no different in CR than in US when it comes to what YOU bring to your children’s education. Where the schools are lacking you will have to make up. At your young children’s age you will have to stress English to keep them dual language. Be aware that they will be taught Central American and Costa Rican history. If you want them to know about Jamestown, Williamsburg, Phillidelphia and the American revolution you will need to teach them.

I think CR will be a wonderful place to educate your children. Just be sure YOU don’t get left behind. Kids learn fast and grow up faster. My twins are almost 30 now and it seems like yesterday that I was reading Cat-In-The-Hat to them. .

[Author]

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