With the exception of a few slackers who are indifferent towards the academic progress of their progeny, most parents want the very best for their children and will go to great lengths to facilitate their success in this area. They pay meticulous attention to their children’s upbringing and are keen to ensure that they receive the best healthcare, education and religious instruction.
Just as competition and natural selection drives the evolution of organisms, so too are educational facilities forced to evolve and improve. As a result, some are way ahead of others. Choosing the best school for your child’s needs can mean the difference between producing a well-rounded, successful young adult, or a flat-out failure who is limited in scope.
Most parents believe that the best choice for elementary education, apart from private tutors coming into the home, is the private kindergarten/preparatory school option. They choose this over the public all-age or primary options, hoping to secure for their children smaller classes and more one-to-one teacher/child interaction. The feeling is that these schools provide an overall cleaner and quieter environment with more qualified teachers. Added to this is the classist notion that such schools represent a separation from what is considered “the uncultured rabble”.
Some kindergartens/pre-schools even start accepting registration before the baby is born. These parents eagerly fork out up to $46,000 per term at the prep school level, plus extras throughout the year. Compare this tuition to none at all or a very minimal annual fee at the all-age/primary level.
Truth be told, prep school does not guarantee any of the things mentioned above and many all-age/primary school students have done tremendously well in local and international examinations and competitions, whipping the tail-end off some prep schoolers without mercy. So, what is it that we, as parents, need to look for to ensure that our children are at the right place in terms of education?
Well, it actually begins before birth, perhaps as far back as the parents’ own birth. We cannot deny that genes do add some flavour to a child’s character soup; but most if not all educators will agree that nurture far outweighs nature in relevance. In a conducive learning environment and with the right stimulation, almost any child can rise straight up to the top of academic performance. But getting back to the womb…it has been established that a growing fetus can hear and respond to voices, particularly that of its mother. Reading for and talking to your baby while still in the womb, playing educational audiocassettes, massaging the tummy and allowing the baby to have a general impression that its world will be one of contentment and love, are among the first positive things that you can do towards your child’s education.
As the baby grows, avoid making goo-goo ga-ga sounds; talk to the child in a rational way, just as you would any coherent and sensible child. Ask intelligent questions of the baby and act as if you await an intelligent response, even if you know the child cannot talk as yet. This will encourage the baby to develop as an intelligent being who understands that he/she is expected to be above average.
The worst mistake that we can make as parents and teachers is to ask little of our children. We should let them know from day one that only the best is expected, not necessarily in a forceful boot camp-style operation, but in a loving, nurturing way. Additionally, we must lead by example. It was poet Haki Madhubuti who said so wisely, “Be what you want your children to be”.
If you want your children to be avid readers, let them see you reading avidly. If you want them to be well versed in academics, let them see your head stuck in a book more than once a week (not counting the Sunday newspaper). Buy books for them rather than toys; buy educational games rather than video games. Play scrabble with your children. If you want your children to be eloquent and hold their ground in any interview, engage them in lively debate topics and let them argue their case to an intelligent resolution. These exercises impart valuable life lessons. Remember that parents play an integral role in their children’s development. Do not be content to turn your child’s mind over to the school system and sit idly back.
Rather than just choosing strictly along prep/primary lines, here are some practical considerations you can make when selecting a school for your child. How will the child travel to school? Do you need transportation provided, or can you get your child to school another way? Will you need before and/or aftercare for your child, and how feasible will this be near a particular school? Does your child have any physical, emotional, linguistic or learning needs that require special attention? For high school, does your child want preparation for a skilled trade or will he/she be thinking of sixth form? Do you want a traditional education program or do you want a school with an alternative approach, such as the Ananda Marga School or the Montessori School?
When selecting a good school, think safety, beauty, affordability as well as variety. Are there foreign languages offered? How about art, music and sports? Are the teachers well qualified? What kind of emphasis is placed on extracurricular development? How strong is the Parent Teacher Association? If you know parents who have children attending that school, ask around before you make a commitment.
If you have the time and the financial security, perhaps home school may be the best bet for your child. You, as parent/principal/teacher – everything rolled into one – can add or subtract from the general curriculum as you see fit. Home school has the most flexible teaching schedule ever!!! You can sleep all day and work at night if that suits you and your child. You know your child is safe and in a loving work environment and, best of all, you don’t have to worry about tuition. But if you choose to get private tutoring for your child, that could be a hefty sum.
Whatever choice you make, remember that you, as a parent, have a great role to play. Be involved in your child’s education every step of the way.
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With the exception of a few slackers who are indifferent towards the academic progress of their progeny, most parents want the very best for their children and will go to great lengths to facilitate their success in this area. They pay meticulous attention to their children’s upbringing and are keen to ensure that they receive the best healthcare, education and religious instruction.
Just as competition and natural selection drives the evolution of organisms, so too are educational facilities forced to evolve and improve. As a result, some are way ahead of others. Choosing the best school for your child’s needs can mean the difference between producing a well-rounded, successful young adult, or a flat-out failure who is limited in scope.
Most parents believe that the best choice for elementary education, apart from private tutors coming into the home, is the private kindergarten/preparatory school option. They choose this over the public all-age or primary options, hoping to secure for their children smaller classes and more one-to-one teacher/child interaction. The feeling is that these schools provide an overall cleaner and quieter environment with more qualified teachers. Added to this is the classist notion that such schools represent a separation from what is considered “the uncultured rabble”.
Some kindergartens/pre-schools even start accepting registration before the baby is born. These parents eagerly fork out up to $46,000 per term at the prep school level, plus extras throughout the year. Compare this tuition to none at all or a very minimal annual fee at the all-age/primary level.
Truth be told, prep school does not guarantee any of the things mentioned above and many all-age/primary school students have done tremendously well in local and international examinations and competitions, whipping the tail-end off some prep schoolers without mercy. So, what is it that we, as parents, need to look for to ensure that our children are at the right place in terms of education?
Well, it actually begins before birth, perhaps as far back as the parents’ own birth. We cannot deny that genes do add some flavour to a child’s character soup; but most if not all educators will agree that nurture far outweighs nature in relevance. In a conducive learning environment and with the right stimulation, almost any child can rise straight up to the top of academic performance. But getting back to the womb…it has been established that a growing fetus can hear and respond to voices, particularly that of its mother. Reading for and talking to your baby while still in the womb, playing educational audiocassettes, massaging the tummy and allowing the baby to have a general impression that its world will be one of contentment and love, are among the first positive things that you can do towards your child’s education.
As the baby grows, avoid making goo-goo ga-ga sounds; talk to the child in a rational way, just as you would any coherent and sensible child. Ask intelligent questions of the baby and act as if you await an intelligent response, even if you know the child cannot talk as yet. This will encourage the baby to develop as an intelligent being who understands that he/she is expected to be above average.
The worst mistake that we can make as parents and teachers is to ask little of our children. We should let them know from day one that only the best is expected, not necessarily in a forceful boot camp-style operation, but in a loving, nurturing way. Additionally, we must lead by example. It was poet Haki Madhubuti who said so wisely, “Be what you want your children to be”.
If you want your children to be avid readers, let them see you reading avidly. If you want them to be well versed in academics, let them see your head stuck in a book more than once a week (not counting the Sunday newspaper). Buy books for them rather than toys; buy educational games rather than video games. Play scrabble with your children. If you want your children to be eloquent and hold their ground in any interview, engage them in lively debate topics and let them argue their case to an intelligent resolution. These exercises impart valuable life lessons. Remember that parents play an integral role in their children’s development. Do not be content to turn your child’s mind over to the school system and sit idly back.
Rather than just choosing strictly along prep/primary lines, here are some practical considerations you can make when selecting a school for your child. How will the child travel to school? Do you need transportation provided, or can you get your child to school another way? Will you need before and/or aftercare for your child, and how feasible will this be near a particular school? Does your child have any physical, emotional, linguistic or learning needs that require special attention? For high school, does your child want preparation for a skilled trade or will he/she be thinking of sixth form? Do you want a traditional education program or do you want a school with an alternative approach, such as the Ananda Marga School or the Montessori School?
When selecting a good school, think safety, beauty, affordability as well as variety. Are there foreign languages offered? How about art, music and sports? Are the teachers well qualified? What kind of emphasis is placed on extracurricular development? How strong is the Parent Teacher Association? If you know parents who have children attending that school, ask around before you make a commitment.
If you have the time and the financial security, perhaps home school may be the best bet for your child. You, as parent/principal/teacher – everything rolled into one – can add or subtract from the general curriculum as you see fit. Home school has the most flexible teaching schedule ever!!! You can sleep all day and work at night if that suits you and your child. You know your child is safe and in a loving work environment and, best of all, you don’t have to worry about tuition. But if you choose to get private tutoring for your child, that could be a hefty sum.
Whatever choice you make, remember that you, as a parent, have a great role to play. Be involved in your child’s education every step of the way.
Share this post: