‘Schooling is an important part of an individual’s life’
can be such an understatement. It is an all-important foundation for everything
that comes thereafter. From learning about the world, social interaction,
curiosity, and motivation to self-esteem and confidence, school teaches it all
and affects almost every aspect of a child’s life. So you have finally chosen a
school for your after spending a considerable amount of time and energy, but
then comes a time to reassess. Even after the child has been admitted to the
best school possible, parents need to question if the school is doing enough to
identify and harness the child’s talents. Is the school tapping into your
child’s natural skill and aptitude? Do you see a positive change in the child
over a period of time? So how does one do that? Here are some questions you can
ask yourself.
Does your child
look forward to going to school?
First and foremost, the easiest way to measure is whether
the child is happy about going to school. For very young children in preschool/
pre-primary, this may not be a guiding factor as children often go through
separation anxiety at that stage. However, for older children who have
opportunities to have more enriching social and intellectual experiences, it
can be a guiding factor. Most progressive international schools do not follow a
traditional schooling pattern and offer very interactive and stimulating
learning methodologies allowing children to be open to studying and learning.
Does the child
show interest in some activities?
Have you noticed your child showing a keen interest in
some activities? It could be science, languages or arts. Some of the best
schools are considered best because of their infrastructure and teachers that
allow students to be exposed to a wide array of activities be it academics,
sports, dance , music etc. When a student has the opportunity to experience
many things, he/she would naturally lean towards one for which there are a
natural flair and ability. Providing the right environment and guidance is the
key.
Does the child show signs of flourishing?
Do you see your
child flourishing, be it physically, mentally, emotionally and intellectually?
When a child feels secure, the right mentors in form of teachers at school and
parents at home can make the child feel confident about trying to learn new
things. A new hobby interest in form of art or language can spark creativity
with no bounds. An interest in a particular sport can be life changing
instilling discipline and love for physical exercise or make a career out of
it.
Do you see the child acquiring new skills?
Acquiring new
skills does come with age and maturity; however, a slight push in the right
direction can have very positive consequences. Learning horse riding, playing a
musical instrument or learning a new language may need a little more reasoning
with a young child but can be a positive enabler later in life. Take for
example the Bilingual teaching methodology at some of the top schools in
Singapore. The Canadian
International School
is a pioneer of the Bilingual programme. Children are taught in both the
Chinese and English language alternatively by a native Chinese and native
English teacher in almost all subjects. Looking at how bilingualism can have a
profound effect on early learning and later as a whole, many schools have
introduced the bilingual programme in different forms. The case for teaching
two languages at the same time has a strong research-backed teaching
philosophy.
Parents are the
best guide for children and the school comes a close second. When choosing the
right school for the child, it is important to know if the school provides
enough opportunities to identify and harness the talents of its students. A
stimulating student teacher community that helps develop every child is the
most important factor that differentiates the best schools from the rest.
For more information please
visit best
primary schools in singapore
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