Ever found yourself pondering ov
er the crucial decision of choosing the right school for your child at different stages of their education? You’re not alone; many parents share this concern, and I often encounter questions on this topic. Let’s delve into it together.
First and foremost, as a parent, it’s vital to grasp that the essence of growth lies in personality development. At each developmental stage, children must acquire psycho-social abilities and master skills that contribute to the development of wholesome personalities.
Second, the educational journey of every child should aim to develop a set of skills that prepare them for future work life whether they become employees or employer.
To lead the precious gifts that God has trusted you to guide effectively, a shared family vision must be formulated to help align all educational decisions with that vision. This foundation is essential, considering that parents must have a united front to guide optimise decision making.
While it may seem like a lot, the approximately 10 years of training during childhood provide ample time to cultivate these essential abilities, for the future so starting early is key. Visit this post on our instagram page to get a guide for your introspection on this matter.
The skills to be developed in a child at various levels of the journey have been listed below so when scouting, you must ask questions to uncover the school’s ability to help your precious one build on these skills. Along with the enumerated list below are the questions you can ask the school management to uncover their ability to empower the child with the particular skill.
Preschoolers
Skill: Trust – This develops through relationships with different people, building hope for reliable support in challenging situations.
Question: How long have your staff worked with your school?
Skill: Autonomy – Grit, resilience, and a healthy self-esteem are nurtured through the development of independence and the ability to make choices.
Question: How much help do the children get now and as they grow older? Do they have classroom responsibilities?
Skill: Initiative – Proactivity becomes ingrained in their personality, standing out in group learning sessions, fostering leadership skills and confidence.
Question: How do you encourage independent problem solving? What games, tools or rules do you have?
Skill: Language and Communication – From forming words to introducing reading skills, laying the groundwork for effective communication.
Question: What are the word expectations the school has for children in each class, are the children exposed to public speaking, are they allowed to express themselves freely?
Skill: Mathematical thinking – Identifying numbers, rote memorisation, relating these numbers to quantities to answer the questions, how many, how many more, how many left.
Question: Do you have practical simulations of use of numbers in the classrooms? How do you do that?
In choosing a preschool, inquire about how schools train and assess your child’s development in these crucial areas. The mastery of these basic skills significantly contributes to their confidence in grade school.
Grade Schoolers
When it comes to grade/primary schools, the approach is key. Parents must consider keenly the school’s approach to marry teaching these skills in tech savvy methods in order to really prepare the children for the future.
Reading Skills: Phonics, decoding, fluency, and comprehension are foundational for effective communication and intelligent expression of thought.
Mathematics Skills: Basic arithmetic operations, number sense, geometric relationships and problem-solving skills prepare your child for future fields like data science and computing.
Writing Skills: From spelling and grammar to creative writing, these skills contribute to content development, proposal writing, and coherent expression of ideas.
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Essential for developing emotional intelligence and logical reasoning.
Organisation and Time Management: Lay the groundwork for personal leadership and self-management.
Communication Skills: Active listening, effective verbal communication, and participation in discussions contribute to diplomacy and objective communication.
Computer and Technology Literacy: Basic computer skills, navigation of online resources, and understanding internet safety pave the way for future proficiency in technology.
Study Skills: Note-taking, test preparation, and time management skills contribute to focused and effective learning.
Social Skills: Collaboration, conflict resolution, and respectful communication build the foundation for effective networking.
Research Skills: Vital for navigating information overload and evaluating the accuracy and relevance of information.
While schools, religious institutions, and social clubs can contribute to instilling your child with these skills, as a parent, the bulk of the responsibility lies with you. Observing, catching the vision, and seeking support for areas beyond your strengths are crucial. This is where a parental support enterprise like ours can make a significant impact. Let us help you raise your child with the values and proficiency that will take them the farthest.