As peaceful parents, the thought of sending our children to school can be a little unnerving, to say the least.
School environments aren’t always the friendliest, and can be radically different from the home.
If you’re not able to home-school your children – or don’t want to for that matter – but still want your kids to have a great childhood, how do you choose the right school? What sort of things should be you looking for in a school to make sure that it nurtures your child?
Let’s take a look.
1 – Does The School Fit Your Child’s Personality?
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Every child is different.
Some children do well learning in structured environments whereas others benefit more from the Montessori approach. Some benefit from visual and active teaching styles, while others do best by studying textbooks. Your child is a unique learner, so it’s worth finding out ahead what their needs are.
Once you know them, you can approach schools you feel would be a good fit.
For instance, private schools with smaller class sizes might be best for kids who learn better with one-on-one coaching.
Sporty children, on the other hand, may prefer local state schools with excellent gym facilities.
2 – Does The School Offer Regular Trips?
School trips, according to NST, offer children a host of benefits. They are great for the following:
- Developing language skills
- Immersing oneself in a new culture
- Building an impressive resume
- Enjoying new activities
- Meeting new people and making friends for life
- Promoting confidence and independence.
Parents looking for schools which nurture children should choose schools that offer trips, thanks to the host of benefits that they bring. Trips help children develop as people, giving them valuable life experiences they can take with them into adulthood.
3 – Is The Teaching Quality High?
The role of teachers is not so much to deliver information (although that’s part of it), but rather to inspire children to go out and learn subjects themselves, especially as they get older.
When reviewing reports on teaching quality, look for signs that the school helps children to become independent learners. Schools that have excellent examination records might not necessarily be the best overall. In fact, some schools may focus on exam preparation to the detriment of real learning in the classroom.
4 – Does The School Have Good Facilities?
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When it comes to your child’s extra-curricular pursuits, the facilities at a school matter a great deal.
Parents want to know that a school has the equipment their child needs to pursue their development goals, whatever they happen to be. Different schools offer varying facilities.
Sports-focused schools will often have fully-equipped gyms, courts, and swimming pools. Music-focused schools, on the other hand, might neglect sports but have auditoriums, recording rooms, and musical instruments available.
Check ahead to see which schools offer what you need ahead of time.
5 – Does The School Offer Scholarships
Talented children need nurturing. If a school offers scholarships, it’s usually a sign that it takes talent seriously.
So look for institutions that provide general, academic, music and sports scholarships that fit your child’s own individual talents or interests.
I hope you found these 5 tips useful.
Whatever route you decide to take, good luck with your child’s education.
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