Sr Monica Cowman’s recently published book, “Growth and Development: Nurtured by Love, Language and Play”, was launched on Monday, 3 December, by Professor Frank McMahon of the Dublin Institute of Technology. At the launch, which took place at the DIT’s premises on Mountjoy Square, Professor McMahon spoke warmly of Sr Monica’s account of pre-school services in Ireland 1892-2007.

Professor McMahon remarked that Sr. Monica first visited Henrietta Street Nursery/crèche 78 years ago, as a young woman, and that she was hooked ever since! Her theme since then has been one of supporting children and parents and not taking over from them. He also spoke of Sr. Monica’s work in establishing pre-school training in Ireland 30 years ago, a collaborative task of the DIT, the Eastern Health Board and Anco training (later known as Fás). Sr. Monica, he added, recognised the value and contribution of pre-school care and the importance of having well qualified staff to work in this important area. The course began as a Certificate course; later it became a Diploma, and now it has full Degree status. 

In her own address, Sr Monica remarked that if she was to give her book another title it would be ‘Working together for the common good’, as this was what her life’s work had been about. She then addressed the many students present, studying for a Degree in Pre-school Care, and said: “You have chosen a marvellous career; you are helping to care for and educate the future citizens of our beloved country. You are in a very privileged position”.

Dr. Noirin Hayes, head of the Social Care Department, DIT, spoke of Sr Monica’s work in establishing training for those involved in early year’s education in Ireland and of how she had taken over as tutor for the course after Sr Monica. She thanked Sr Monica for her enthusiasm and encouragement over the years, both in a professional and in a personal capacity.

This year, DIT’s Department of Social Sciences is celebrating 30 years of providing professional training in early childhood care and education. DIT were the first institution in Ireland to offer training in this field, and Sr. Monica Cowman was the first lecturer on the Early Childhood Education course, which began in 1977.